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A HISTORY 



OF THE 



I PLANING-MILL 



WITH PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 



FOR THE 



Construction, Care, and Management of 
Wood-working Machinery. 



CI R. TOMPKINS. M.E. 



C^ ' \ IL^VQ^ \ 




"Knowledge imparted to others is not lost to him who imparts it." 



NEW YORK: 
JOHN WILEY & SONS, 

15 AsTOR Place. 

1889. 
So 



Copyright, 1889, 

BY 

John Wiley & Sons. 






4 





I - 




Dbummond & NaxT, 

Electrotypers, 

i to 7 Hague Street, 

New York. 




Pkrhts Bros., 

Printers, 

326 Pearl Street, 

New York. 



TC 

^n of |«2 jFrCenirs, 

ESPECIALLY THOSE ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, AND USE OF 

WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WHOSE 

LIBERAL PATRONAGE AND FRIENDSHIP HAVE BEEN BESTOWED 

UPON ME IN YEARS THAT ARE PAST, 

THIS BOOK 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



The writer has no apology to offer for presenting 
to the public this work on the care and management 
of planing-mill machinery. The forty years or more 
during which he has been identified with it — for 
thirty of which he has been actively engaged in 
its manufacture exclusively — is considered sufficient. 
In September, 1886, he went out of business as a prac- 
tical manufacturer ; yet he cannot say that he does 
not still take an interest in it. The familiar hum of 
the planing-mill is still pleasant to his ear, and brings 
up grateful recollections of the past, and reminds 
him of the many warm friends that he had, and still 
has, among wood-workers all over the country. Dur- 
ing that long experience and intimate relation with 
some of the oldest planing-mill men, a number of 
whom have long since gone to their rest, he was en- 
abled to obtain many of the incidents and facts given 
in the following pages. The long experience of the 
author in its manufacture, sale, and use forms the basis 
of those suggestions for the construction, care, and 



VI PRE FA CE. 

management of planing-mill machinery; and if they 
should be found of practical use to those less ex- 
perienced, then this work, which is dedicated to all 
users of such machinery, will not have been written 
in vain. 

That such may be the case, is the sincere wish of the 
author. 

Rochester, N. Y., December 7, 1888. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

Early History of the Planing-mill, i 

Early Inventions in England, 3 

Improvements, . 4 

CHAPTER II. 

Automatic Feed-rolls, 7 

Wm. Woodworth's Invention, 8 

His First Machine, _ . 9 

The Commencement of the Planing-mill Monopoly, . . . ii 

CHAPTER III. 

Other Inventions, 15 

Suits for Infringement, . . 16 

The Patent renewed by Special Act of Congress, ... 16 

The Norcross Planer, 18 

His Patent Sustained, 18 

CHAPTER IV. 

Application for Another Extension, . . . . . . 23 

A Formidable Remonstrance, ....... 24 

Defeat of the Application, . . . . . . . . 24 

Improvements, etc., 27 

CHAPTER V. 

Brown's Extension Gears, . . . . . . . . 31 

Other Improvements, 32 

Burleigh's Extension Gears, ....... 3^ 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



The Dimension Planer, Gray & Wood's Patent, 
H. D. Stover's Celebrated Claim, 

CHAPTER VI. 

Further Improvements, 

Patents of Wardwell and others, 

Wm. H. Doane and others, 

The Chip-breaker, J. B. Tar's Patent, 

Early History of the Moulding-machine, 

CHAPTER VII. 

Moulding-machine Continued, . 

The Inside Moulder, . . . ; 

Introduction of the Resawing-machine, 

The Crosby Patent, .... 

Myers & Unison's Claims, . 

Suit against Messrs. Hawley and Mr. Doncaster, 

Results, 



PAGE 

33 
34 



38 
38 
39 
41 
44 



49 
50 

52 
52 
55 
55 
55 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Abuses of Patent Laws, 

The Act of 1870, . . 

The Woodbury Patent, ....... 

Attempts to Build up another Planing-mill Monopoly, 
Suits in which the Patent was set aside, .... 

CHAPTER IX. 

Construction of Machinery, 

Quality and Strength of Castings, . . . 

Care in Moulding, ........ 

Frames for Machinery, . . . . , 

CHAPTER X. 

Care Required in the Construction of Wood-working Tools, 
Best Proportion for Cylinders, . . . . . 

Relative Length and Size of Journals, 

Cast-steel Cylinders, ........ 

The best Practical Method of fitting them up, . 



56 
56 

57 
58 
59 



70 

71 
72 
76 



79 
81 

83 
84 

85 



CONTENTS. 



Vll 



CHAPTER XL 



Speeding Wood- working Machinery, . 
Variation of Speed in Different Mills, 
Centrifugal Force Considered, . 
Tensile Strength of Bolts, . 
Pulleys, etc., . . . . . 



CHAPTER Xn. 

Importance of Putting Up and Adjusting New Machines, 

Necessity of Employing Competent Men, . 

Mistakes often made in the Speed, 

Anecdote, Mr. A.'s Mistake, 

Annoyance from Bad Belts, 

Matcher-belts require Extra Care, 



CHAPTER Xni. 

Feed-rolls, 

Manner of casting them, .... 
Trouble caused by Imperfect Rolls, . 
Imperfect Gearing 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Lubrication, . . 

Defective Boxes, 

The Self -oiling Box described, . 

Glass-oilers, . . . . 

Adulterated Oils, 

The Best Oils for Planing-mills, 



CHAPTER XV. 

Hints about Moulding-machines, 

The most Suitable Size for Planing-mill Purposes, 

The best Material for Cylinders and their Style, 

Solid Cutters, 

Sectional Cutters Useful, 



CHAPTER XVI. 
Some of the Difficulties that Manufacturers meet with. 
Inexperienced Men 



PAGE 

89 
90 
92 
94 
95 



98 

99 
102 
103 

105 
106 



no 
III 
"3 
"5 



119 
119 
120 
124 

125 
126 



129 
130 
133 
134 

135 



138 
139 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Professional Humbugs, * . 140 

Carelessness often the Cause of Trouble, 141 

The Operator in his Own Estimation never at Fault, . . . 143 

CHAPTER XVH. 

Responsibilities of Foreman, .145 

System in Management, 146 

A Striking Contrast, 147 

Foundations, 149 

Levelling from Certain Points Important, . . . . .151 

CHAPTER XVni. 
A Suitable Outfit for a Small Mill described, . . . .154 

Machines should be adapted to the Work, 158 

A Question of Power, . . . . . . . .159 

Economy in Fuel, . 160 

Suitable sized Engines, .160 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Advice to Operators, 165 

Feeding Crooked Stuff, ........ 166 

Setting the Guides, 167 

The Use of Springs not recommended, 167 

More Experience 168 

Causes for Lumber Drawing away from the Guide, . . .169 

CHAPTER XX. 

Artistic Wood-work, 171 

Improved Machines for that Purpose, 172 

Cutting Tools, . 173 

Importance of a Running Balance, , . . . . .175 

Hints for fitting up Tools, .176 

Their Temper, . 176 

Hard and Soft Cutters Considered, 176 

Spindles and Collars, . . . . . . . .177 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Friction and the Laws which govern it, . . . . . 180 

Sliding Contact, 181 

Revolving Contact, .183 



CONTENTS. 



IX 



PAGE 

Resistance according to Weight Independent of Surface, . . 184 
Its Application to Planing-mill Machinery, . . . .185 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Shafting, 186 

Its Proportional Size and Speed, 187 

Torsional Strength considered, . . . . , , .188 

Method of Testing, 189 

Rules for calculating its Strength, ...... igo 

Table giving Size, Speed, and Power, ..... 197 

CHAPTER XXIH. 

Belting, the Selection of, ... i ... . 198 

The Importance of the Mill being well belted, .... 199 

Leather Belting the best adapted for the Purpose, . . . 200 

Rules for calculating their Power and Length, . . . . 201 

Oils not Suitable for Belting, 206 

Hints for their Care and Management, 207 

Double Belts, Objections to, ...... . 212 

Table showing the Power and Speed of Belts, . . . . 215 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Advice to Young Men, . . , . . . . .217 

They should make themselves Proficients in the Business, . . 218 
Frequent Changes not Advisable, . . . ... . 219 

Proper Studies for the Young Mechanic, ..... 220 

Should fit himself for Future Usefulness, 221 



HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY INVENTIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, ETC. 

The history of the planing-mill, like many other 
useful machines, may be traced back in its rudimentary 
form many years before its individuality as a distinct 
and complete machine was fully recognized. We find, 
by a careful examination of old mechanical works pub- 
lished both in England and France that, many years 
before William Woodworth made his invention, ma- 
chines of a similar character were used for working 
wood into various shapes ; and among these different 
machines one can readily discover nearly all of the ele- 
ments from which the planing-machine originated. 

It is a well-known fact, and one that is recognized by 
all inventors, that, as a rule, no one man ever originated 
and perfected an entire machine without embodying 
in it some of the conceptions of a previous inventor. 
The first inventor may conceive and carry out, to a 
certain extent, an idea which to him may appear to be 
perfect and original in all its parts, and succeed in ac- 
complishing the object in a manner satisfactory to 
himself ; but as one idea always suggests another, the 



2 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

second inventor may take the same elements and com- 
mence practically where the first left off, and not only 
improve upon that idea, but add other ideas of his own 
to it which the first inventor never thought of, until 
finally, by the skill and efforts of a series of inventors, 
the machine becomes perfected in all of its parts. 

In some of the earlier inventions in England for the 
purpose of planing lumber, the stationary knife, in imi- 
tation of the hand-plane, seemed to be the prevailing 
idea ; either by a reciprocating motion of the knife, or by 
forcing the lumber by suitable mechanism under a sta- 
tionary knife set in an adjustable stock in order to ac- 
commodate the various thicknesses of the lumber to be 
planed. As these machines appear to have been ex- 
perimental, and never came into general use, it is prob- 
able that there were certain mechanical difficulties at- 
tending them which could not be overcome so as to 
render them fit for practical use. 

In some of the old machines where the rotary cutter- 
head was used, the head was attached to a mandrel 
much in the manner as the circular saw of the present 
time, and the stuff to be planed was pushed by hand, 
either over or under the cutter-head, and held down to 
the table by blocks or springs much in the same man- 
ner as the hand-jointer or buzz-planer of the present 
time. It seems that this style of planing light stuff was 
in use as late as 1836, when it was determined to build 
the great conservatoryat Chatsworth, when Mr. Paxton, 
the architect and contractor, says, '' he found it desir- 
able to contrive some means for lessening the great 
amount of manual labor required in making the im- 
mense number of sash-bars required for that purpose." 



EARLY INVENTIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, ETC. 3 

On visiting all the great work-shops of London, Man- 
chester, and Birmingham, the only apparatus which he 
met with was a grooving-machine. This he obtained, 
and fitted up at Chatsworth, in connection with a steam- 
engine, and subsequently so improved it that he could 
make sash-bars on it complete. This machine, he says, 
effected a saving of ^^1400 in the expense of the con- 
servatory. The length of each bar was forty-eight 
inches, and the original cost of the machine, including the 
table, wheels, etc., complete, was ;£'20. The attendants re- 
quired were only a man and a boy. The sash-bars could 
be made any shape by changing the saws. The bar 
was presented to the saws below the centre of motion, 
and to the teeth of the saws which were ascending from 
the table. " A velocity of twelve hundred revolutions per 
minute was required to finish the work in a proper man- 
ner, d^nd, four feet per minute could be produced in this 
mannen" 

In 1850, when the great exhibition building in Lon- 
don was constructed, a similar machine was used by 
Messrs. Fox and Henderson, the contractors, for form- 
ing the gutters for the same. Mr. Henderson, however, 
made some improvements, by adding cutter-heads, so 
that, instead of using one head and passing the stuff 
through the machine four times, he applied four heads, 
so as to finish the work on all four sides by once passing 
it through the machine. The timber was first squared 
up to the proper size by a machine invented by Mr. 
Furness, and known at that time as the Furness plan- 
ing-machine. In a description of this machine by 
Mr. Paxton, he says : " In this machine, cutters were 
attached to the ends of an arm revolving with great 



4 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

rapidity in a horizontal plane. The timber was wedged 
up in a frame travelling upon rails, and as this was 
passed under the revolving cutters, the upper surface is 
planed off, the timber being held down upon the frame 
by a large iron disk." He does not state whether the 
frame was moved automatically or pushed along by 
hand ; but the operation of the cutters and their appli- 
cation to the work was much on the same principle as 
the Daniels planer of the present time. In a descrip- 
tion of the gutter-cutting machine, he says : " Cutters 
were used instead of saws, and were attached to a cast- 
iron block by means of bolts and nuts. Four such 
blocks were required to form the gutter, and were fixed 
to four separate spindles, and, by the action of drums 
upon them, were set in rapid motion by means of 
bands. A piece of timber exposed to the action of 
these cutters must evidently be scooped out into the 
form of the outline of the cutters. Any great variety 
of section can be given to the timber." 

It would, seem, from a further description of this 
machine, that some kind of automatic feed was after- 
wards attached to it ; for further along in his description 
he says: "The piece of timber is placed upon a roller, 
and pushed onward until it comes in contact with 
another roller, furnished with projecting points, which 
seize it and help to propel it forward, causing the timber 
to move much steadier than before, the timber at the 
same time being held down to the cutters by a hold- 
fast." After all of these improvements were completed, 
he says : '^By this machine, three feet of gutter would be 
made per minute. This machine was a modification of the 
same one which was used by Mr. Paxton at Chatsworth 



EARLY INVENTIONS, IMPROVEMENTS, ETC. 5 

for making sash-bars ; and the improvements were made 
by Mr. Birch. In Mr. Birch's improved machine, 
cutter-heads were substituted for saws, and, by the addi- 
tion of cutter-heads acting on each side of the stuff, all 
sides of the piece were worked simultaneously. A cut 
of this machine is shown in TomHnson's " Cyclopsedia," 
published in 185 1, which, however, only represents 
one pair of four-sided cylinders, one above the plank and 
one below it, each having four separate cutters attached, 
and each cutter having the outhne of that particular 
part of the sash-bar which it is intended to work ; so 
that the pieces, when stuck, contained a section equal 
to four bars. Behind the cylinders were five circular 
saws, attached to one arbor and placed far enough apart 
to correspond to the width of each bar and divide it, 
after passing the cylinders, in just the proper places to 
form four perfect bars at one operation. This cut also 
represents two feed-rolls, one on each side of the cylin- 
ders acting upon the upper side of the lumber ; but 
whether there were rolls below or not, the cut does not 
show; but, judging from its appearance, the probability 
is that there were none, and that the stuff passed over 
a table and was propelled forward partly by the action 
of the rolls with some help from the operator. It re- 
quired about two hundred miles of sash-bars, according 
to the report, to complete the building; and as the 
contractors, Messrs. Fox & Henderson, had bound 
themselves in a contract to complete the building in 
four months, it was thought by many to be a gigantic 
undertaking to furnish that quantity of sash-bars in so 
short a time. The work was accomplished, however, 
and Mr, Birch obtained an enviable reputation for his 



6 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

skill and energy. The report does not state just how 
long he was in completing the job, but simply states that 
the sash-bars were all finished in time. Now, suppose 
we give him three months, of twenty-six days each, and 
ten hours to the day : it would then only require a feed 
of about five feet per minute to complete the work. 
The report, however, says that " This powerful machine 
worked with untiring energy night and day until the 
work was completed." If such was the case, the proba- 
bility is that the feed did not exceed two feet per 
minute. . 



WILLIAM WOOD WORTH'S FIRST MACHINE, 



CHAPTER II. 

AUTOMATIC FEED-ROLLS— WILLIAM WOODWORTH— 
HIS FIRST MACHINE— PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY 
COMMENCED. 

Having traced the progress and development of 
wood-working machinery in England down to the time 
of the building of the great Crystal Palace, or exhibi- 
tion building, and noting the machines that were in use 
at that time, it would seem that, if other and more 
improved machines were in use or known at that time, 
Mr. Paxton, the architect, or Messrs. Fox & Hender- 
son, the contractors, would have called them into re- 
quisition ; as the immense quantity of material that 
required to be dressed in so short a time as was allotted 
to them to complete the work of so large a structure 
would have warranted them in adopting the latest and 
most approved machinery for that purpose, which no 
doubt they did. It is very doubtful whether rotary 
cutters were known or used either in England or France 
previous to 1826 ; and even if they were, there were no 
attempts to combine their use with automatic feed-rolls 
until long after this time. The first attempt of this 
kind in this country that we have any record of was a 
machine invented by Hill ; but, from some imperfections 
in its construction, after repeated trials it was abandoned 
and passed into the list of abandoned experiments. 

About the same time WilHam Woodworth, an old 



S HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

carpenter residing in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and who 
was familiarly known among the carpenters as " Uncle 
Billy," was experimenting upon the same thing in an 
old saw-mill situated in the lower part of the town, near 
the river, and not far from where the old Whaling- 
dock was afterwards located. The old mill and Whal- 
ing-dock have long since disappeared, but their loca- 
tion will no doubt be still remembered by some of 
the older residents of that beautiful city upon the 
Hudson. 

His first machine was patented December 27, 1828. 
In this machine there was no -other device for holding 
the lumber down to the bed while being planed except 
the feed-rolls; but as they were placed very close to 
the cutter-head, they answered the purpose very well, 
except upon the ends of the boards as they entered 
the machine before reaching the second pair of rolls 
located on the other side of the cylinder. The same 
difificultywas experienced with the latter end of the 
board as it passed out of the machine after leaving 
the first, or leading-in, rollers. This had the effect of 
causing about six inches upon each end of the board 
to be planed thinner than the middle ; and in order to 
use it in laying floors so as to present a uniform, 
smooth surface, it was necessary to cut about six 
inches off both ends of the piece. 

After the side-cutters were introduced and applied to 
the machine, it became necessary to move the feed- 
rolls farther apart in order to make room for them ; 
then the difficulty became so great that it was found 
necessary to introduce another small roll immediately 
behind the cylinder, to overcome this defect. It is 



WILLIAM WOOD IVOR TH' 3 FIRST MACHINE. 9 

I quite evident that this small roll was not introduced 
; until some time after the patent was granted ; for in the 
! original specification and drawings there is nothing 

shown or described to indicate that this was any part 
; of the original invention; and being, as it proved after- 

II wards, so important an element in the combination, if it 
1 had been known at the time it would have been shown 

in the drawing and mentioned in the specification. 
In describing his invention he says : " The first 
i of my invention relates to the combination of rotary 
cutters and feeding-rollers in such a manner that the 
' said feeding-rollers shall be capable of feeding the 
lumber to the cutters, and also of effectually resisting 
the tendency of the cutters to draw the lumber up- 
wards towards them ; the object of this part of my in- 
vention being to reduce the lumber operated upon to 
a uniforinity of thickness, and to givQ it a planed and 
I even surface upon one side thereof. The second part 
\ of my invention relates to the combination, with feed- 
] ing-rollers and rotary cutters, for planing one of the 
principal surfaces of the lumber ; and of rotary matching 
cutters so as to form a tongue or groove, or both, upon 
the edge or edges of the lumber at the same time that 
one of its principle surfaces is planed." This patent, 
under the conditions of the old patent law, was granted 
for fourteen years, and expired December 27, 1842, but 
was extended for a further term of seven years under a 
provision of the same law which provides that, upon 
the expiration of the original patent, if the patentee 
could show, to the satisfaction of the commissioner of 
patents, that he had used due diligence in bringing his 
invention before the public, and that he had not been 



10 HISTORY OF THE PLANlNG-MILL. 

able to realize a sufficient compensation for his time, 
labor, and expenses in introducing it, he was entitled to 
a further extension of seven years. 

It is very doubtful whether William Woodworth had 
made any money out of his invention up to this time. 
The feeling among the journeymen carpenters was so 
strong against it that, when the first machine was put 
in operation, the old saw-mill in which it was located 
had to be watched constantly both day and night for 
several months to prevent them from burning it down. 
Another reason was the want of means to introduce it. 
Mr. Woodworth having but little means to begin with, 
and that had all been spent in perfecting his invention, 
and as almost every one looked upon it with suspicion, 
as is often the case with other new inventions, the 
consequence was that very few planing-mills were in 
operation at that time. 

After the patent was extended, finding that he could 
not interest capitalists into it and obtain the necessary 
means to successfully introduce it to the public, he 
determined to sell it out for what he could get. He 
finally succeeded in selling it out to three or four differ- 
ent parties, who were each assigned a certain territory. 
It is not definitely known just what he realized from 
the sale of this valuable patent, but it was reported at 
that time that he realized in all about five thousand 
dollars. The New England States were assigned to 
Samuel Schenck, the Middle States to John Gibson, of 
Albany, N. Y.; and the Western States to Samuel Pitts, 
of Detroit, Mich. These parties were all men of con- 
siderable means, and at once began to take the proper 
measures for introducing it among the lumbermen in 



PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY COMMENCED. II 

their respective territories. Gibson started a large shop 
at Albany for their manufacture, and also a large plan- 
ing-mill where machines could always be seen in suc- 
cessful operation. 

The owners of the patent must have discovered some 
defect or weak points in the original patent, one of 
which was no doubt the small roll behind the cylinder, 
which was indispensable for the successful working of 
the machine. In July, 1845, the original patent was 
surrendered and a reissue obtained ; and in the reissued 
patent the small roll is not only shown in the drawings, 
but is also mentioned in the specifications and claims 
in combination with the other original elements. From 
this time, the prejudices of the workmen and their 
opposition having ceased, the demand for planing- 
machines increased rapidly, and hundreds of mills were 
started in different localities, principally, however,- in 
the cities and large towns. 

The owners of the patent, it would seem, must have 
had an understanding with each other not to sell any 
territorial rights, and only to license a certain number 
of machines for each city or town, giving each mill- 
owner the exclusive right for a given amount of terri- 
tory, for which they were required to pay a certain 
royalty on each thousand feet planed. They also regu- 
lated the price to be charged to their customers, bind- 
ing them in a contract not to vary from that price 
under penalty of forfeiting their license. The price in 
the State of New York was fixed at seven dollars per 
thousand feet for planing and matching, and the royalty 
for each thousand feet so planed and matched was three 
dollars. What the prices were and the royalties paid in 



12 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

other territories is not distinctly known ; but probably 
it did not vary much from the amount just mentioned. 
Each mill-owner was required to render an account 
every three months for the amount of lumber dressed,- 
and verify the same under oath, and pay the royalty 
thereon within ten days from the date thereof. 

This, it will be seen, soon created almost a complete j 
monopoly in the lumber business — at least as far as j 
dressed lumber was concerned, for every planing-mill 
owner had a lumber-yard attached ; and, while the cost 
to him for planing and matching his own lumber was 
but a small sum over what he paid as royalty, his neigh- 
bor was shut out from obtaining a planing-machine, 
and was obliged to pay seven dollars per thousand for 
all the dressed flooring he sold. In some of the large 
towns, when it was thought there was sufficient busi- 
ness to warrant it, two mills would be allowed ; and in 
that case the monopoly of the lumber trade for that 
town would be divided between the two. But as the 
owners of the patent controlled the prices, there was 
no opportunity for competition between them so far 
as the price of planing was concerned. 

This state of things naturally stimulated inventive 
genius to endeavor to invent devices for accomplishing 
the same work and avoid the Woodworth patent, 
which had already become such a monopoly. Among 
the most prominent of those devices was the machine 
patented by Joseph E. Andrews, November i, 1845. 
In this machine, rotary cutters were used, but the orig- 
inal drawings represent two endless aprons, one each 
side of the cylinder and working above the lumber for 
the purpose of holding it down ; while below, another 



PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY COMMENCED. 1 3 

endless apron extended the whole length of the 
machine, passing under the cylinder, and upon which 
the board rested. This was intended to evade the 
patent by dispensing with the feed-rolls, thereby break- 
ing up the combination. Flat pressure-bars, one each 
side of the cylinder, were applied to prevent the board 
from vibrating while being acted upon by the cutters. 
The endless aprons as a reliable feed proved a failure, 
and they were abandoned, and feed-rolls were substi- 
tuted for feeding purposes, retaining the fiat pressure- 
bars for holding down the stuff. 

Although Andrews claimed that, dispensing with 
the roll for holding down the lumber, and substituting 
the flat pressure-bar, the same elements of the Wood- 
worth combination were not used, and the ruling of 
the courts in cases of claims that were combinations was 
that, in order to infringe a combination claim, precisely 
the same devices and elements must be used, under 
these rulings, Andrews claimed the pressure-bar as a 
new element, and consequently a new combination. 

Suits, however, were commenced as soon as this 
machine was put in successful operation, for infringe- 
ment, which were decided against it in every case. 
Judge Blatchford, in deciding one case, makes use of 
the following language : " The substitution of smooth 
plates of iron, operated by springs or screws, to press 
down the boards upon the bed while being planed, in 
place of a pressure roll or rolls, is not a substantial de- 
parture from the Woodworth device for the same pur- 
pose " (see Gibson vs. Betts, i Blatchford, 164; N. Y. 
1846: also Gibson vs. Harris, i Blatchford, 170; N. Y. 
1846). 



14 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

The courts in every suit having decided against the 
Andrews machine, it was evident that a successful 
working machine with rotary cutters, without feed-rolls, 
could not be produced. Inventors then turned their 
attention to other devices ; and prominent among them 
was the planing-machine invented and patented by 
Joseph V. Woodbury in the year 1849. I^^ this 
machine, the knives were fastened to a stationary knife- 
stock, placed at about the same angle as a hand-plane 
and provided with a cap or double iron much in the 
same manner. The lumber was forced through the 
machine, and brought in contact with the knives by a 
powerful train of feed-rolls. In some of them there were 
as many as six knives, so arranged and set that each 
knife cut off a certain amount of the stock, the last knife 
taking a very fine cut, so as to finish the surface and 
leave it smooth. 

This machine was quite expensive, and required extra 
care and skill to operate it. On dry, straight-grained, 
clear lumber it performed excellent work ; but with 
cross-grained, knotty lumber the work was not so suc- 
cessful, and those that were in use were abandoned as 
soon as the Woodworth planer came into general use 
without the payment of royalty. 



MORE SUITS FOR INFRINGEMENTS. I 5 



CHAPTER III. 

OTHER INVENTIONS— 3I0RE SUITS FOR INFRINGE- 
MENTS—THE PATENT RENEWED BY SPECIAL 
ACT OF CONGRESS— 7HE NORCROSS PLANER— 
THAT PA TENT SUSTAINED. 

The excessive royalty demanded by the owners of 
the Woodworth patent still acted as an induceraent 
not only to inventors to discover some machine that 
would do the work without infringing this patent, but 
was also an inducement to that portion of the public 
outside of the -monopoly to encourage them by pur- 
chasing those machines in order to get rid of the exor- 
bitant prices demanded for dressing their lumber. 

In addition to the machines heretofore mentioned, 
there was the McGregor machine, patented in 1846. 
The Beckwith and the Gay machines, in Pennsylvania, 
were gotten up about the same time, besides the 
Brown machine, in Massachusetts, each with its own 
peculiar devices, which were supposed to evade the 
Woodworth patent, — all of which were stopped by in- 
junctions and declared infringements soon after being 
put in operation. 

In the mean time the Norcross machine was put in 
use ; and this was the first and only machine among 
the whole number that stood the test of a suit and was 
decided not to infringe the Woodworth patent. But as 
we shall have occasion to refer to this machine here- 
after, we leave it for the present, 



l6 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

As the time was drawing near when this patent 
would expire, and as the owners had all made large 
fortunes out of it, it was natural to suppose that when 
the time expired, which would be in 1849, i^ would be 
allowed to die a quiet and peaceful death, the owners 
would retire, and the monopoly would come to an end. 
But the public were doomed to disappointment. 
The owners, although all of them had made large for- 
tunes out of the patent, were not yet satisfied ; and, as 
they were men of considerable influence, their money 
and influence together had been quietly at work for 
more than a year previous to this time for a further 
extension. It was too good a thing to allow it to die 
a natural death if money and influence could prolong 
its life for another term of seven years ; and while the 
public, or at least that portion of it interested in plan- 
ing-mill machinery, was quietly waiting for its death, 
the most skilful physicians in the shape of lobbyists 
were employed and furnished with unlimited means 
for prolonging its life. How well they succeeded may 
be found in the special act of Congress which fastened 
the same monopoly upon them for another term of 
seven years. There was rejoicing among the monopo- 
Hsts — not only the owners of the patent, but also the 
owners of planing-mills which were so situated as to 
monopolize the lumber trade in certain localities. 
These men had also liberally contributed, both in 
money and influence, to bring about this event ; and 
many were the wine-suppers given on this occasion. 
There v/as cursing and gnashing of teeth among those 
outside of the ring, to commemorate this event, also. 
It was currently reported at that tirne that John Gibson^ 



MORE SUITS FOR INFRINGEMENTS. 1 7 

of Albany, N. Y., who was reputed to have been worth 
over one million dollars, and who spent nearly the whole 
winter of 1848 and 1849 ""^ Washington, contributed, in 
one way and another, over two hundred and fifty thou- 
sand dollars for that purpose as his share of the neces- 
sary expenses attending it. And if this was true, and 
others who were interested as well as himself con- 
tributed as liberally as he was reported to have done, 
somebody, either in or out of Congress, must have 
made " some pin-money for their wives, you know," for 
of course no one in Congress at that time would be 
suspected of taking any money to influence their vote. 
Oh no ! 

As before stated, from the time of the reissue, in 
1845, there had been repeated attempts made to break 
down the reissued patent ; and many suits were de- 
fended upon the plea that in the reissued patent there 
were new elements introduced that were not shown or 
described in the original patent, one of which was the 
small pressure-roll behind the cyHnder to hold down 
the lumber v/hile being planed, especially at the ends 
as the boards were entering in or passing out from 
between the feed-rolls. It would seem as if this point 
should have been a good one fort for the defence ; as 
the records of the Patent Office, both in the original draw- 
ing and model, do not show it, neither do the specifica- 
tions mention it. But notwithstanding this and the 
plea of irregularity in the assignment which was pre- 
sented and argued by able counsel in the suits of 
Brooks V. Becknell in Ohio, Washburn v. Gould, and 
Woodworth v. Wilson, with several others on record 
which might be referred to, in every case the claims of 



1 8 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the reissued patent were sustained and judgments 
taken against the defendants. 

The Norcross machine had now made it sappearance; 
and the owners of this patent were manufacturing this 
machine openly, and putting it in the market in defi- 
ance of the claims of the Woodworth monopoly. Suits 
were, however, commenced against it for infringement 
at a later date and but a year or two before the ex- 
tended term of the Woodworth patent "would expire. 

After a short trial, to the surprise of every one who 
was any way familiar with planing-machines, it was de- 
cided that the Norcross machine did not infringe the 
Woodworth patent. The court which rendered that 
decision must have looked through something else than 
his glasses if he examined the machine personally; 
otherwise he w^ould have discovered in the aforesaid 
machine more of a direct infringement than many 
others which had been stopped by injunctions. 

The claims of the Woodworth patent, it will be re- 
membered, were for the combination of feeding-rollers 
and rotary cutters. Both of these elements were used, 
precisely in the same manner, by Norcross ; the only 
difference in the machines were, Woodworth's planed on 
the upper side of the board, while the Norcross cylin- 
der was below and planed upon the under side of it. 
But as far as the arrangement of feed-rolls was con- 
cerned, there was no difference whatever in the two 
machines. 

As many of the younger planing-mill owners, as well 
as operators, may not remember the old Norcross, I 
submit a brief description of its construction and ope- 
ration, 



MORE SUITS FOR INFRINGEMENTS. 1 9 

Upon a frame very similar to the Woodworth machine 
was mounted one pair of feed-rolls somewhat larger in 
size than those used by the latter machine for the same 
purpose. Both upper and lower rolls were geared to- 
gether by the same old-fashioned system of '' star or fin- 
ger gears," as they were called, and which allowed the 
rolls to expand or contract sufficient to accommodate the 
varying thickness of the same lumber, and the top rolls 
were forced down upon the stuff by the same system of 
weights and levers. When the machine required chang- 
ing for the purpose of planing thicker or thinner lum- 
ber, different-sized gears were provided, and were 
changed from time to time, as frequent as the thickness 
of the lumber required it. 

Behind these rolls, and in as close proximity as possi- 
ble, was the bed-plate, reaching across the machine, the 
ends resting upon the frame, to which it was securely 
bolted. This bed-plate was provided with an opening, 
or slot, running lengthwise with it across the machine, 
similar to the bed of the bottom cylinder in a modern- 
style planer, and the cylinder was placed underneath it, 
the knives working through the aforesaid slot and act- 
ing upon the under side of the board substantially the 
same ; the lumber being held down by a heavy press- 
plate resting upon it. 

Instead of the cylinder being fixed to the frame, or 
permanently attached to the bed-plate, as in the under 
cylinder of the modern planer, provision had to be 
made for the varying thickness of the lumber and to re- 
duce it all to the same thickness. In order to accom- 
plish this object, the cylinder-boxes were attached to 
the upper press-plate, which rested upon the upper, or 



20 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

rough, side of the board and was secured to it by means 
of arms passing down through the main bed-plate, to 
which the cyHnder-boxes were attached. 

It will be seen, by this arrangement, that the distance 
between the upper press-plate and the cutting-edge of 
the cylinder-knife must determine the thickness of the 
board after being planed. 

To adjust the machine for planing the several differ- 
ent thicknesses of lumber, cast-iron blocks, or, more 
properly speaking, parallel strips which were planed the 
right thickness, were furnished and inserted between the 
points where the upper press-plate was connected to 
the cylinder-boxes, and the whole securely fastened by 
bolts passing through the whole; thus forming a strong 
frame, and, working in heavy, strong uprights, into 
which they were nicely fitted, left it free to work and 
allow the cylinder to rise and fall according to the 
varying thickness of the lumber, at the same time gaug- 
ing the thickness according to the thickness of the 
blocks. 

Here was the direct combination of feeding-rollers 
and rotary cutters just as perfect as could be found in 
the Woodworth machine ; and when suit was brought 
against it, even the parties who had purchased and 
were using it expected to be stopped by injunctions, 
and openly expressed their opinion that their machines 
were direct infringements, and that it would only be a 
question of time when they would be compelled to stop. 
But as the owners of the Norcross patent were men of 
undoubted responsibility, and had bound themselves in 
a contract, with each party sold to, to guarantee them 
against all costs and damages in case of suit and they 



THE NOR CROSS PLANER. 21 

were defeated, so the only course for the mill-owners 
was to run as long as they could and make all they 
could out of it while it lasted, and then look to the 
owners of the Norcross patent to indemnify them for 
future damages. 

No one was more surprised at the decision of the 
court than these same mill-owners, many of whom had 
been estopped by injunction from using the Andrews 
and other similar machines. It would have been a hard 
matter to have made some of those old planing-mill 
men, who were well posted with nearly all such devices, 
believe that the whole thing was not a put-up job 
between the owners of the respective patents. 

The fact was, the Norcross patent had passed into 
the hands of men who had wealth and influence; and 
the owners of the Woodworth patent had in contempla- 
tion another effort for a further extension of their 
patent, and they feared the influence of the Norcross 
interest when that time arrived, providing the latter 
succeeded against their patent. 

The Norcross owners were secretly in favor of an ex- 
tension of the Woodworth patent, provided they could 
be left at liberty to manufacture and sell their own 
machine. 

It was admitted on all sides that the Woodworth was 
far the superior both as to quantity and quality of work, 
and, while the lumber was planed and matched upon the 
Woodworth machine at one operation, the Norcross 
system required two separate machines — one for plan- 
ing and another for matching. 

But people who could not procure a Woodworth 
machine were willing to put up with those inconve- 



22 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 

niences rather than pay the exorbitant price of seven 
dollars per thousand feet for dressing their lumber ; and, 
further, while the Woodworth patent was in exist- 
ance there would be a steady demand for the Norcross 
machine for reasons already given. But if the former 
were thrown open to the public, so that every one who 
desired might obtain a Woodworth machine without 
royalty, every one would prefer that machine and there 
would be no demand for the Norcross — which subsequent 
events fully verified. 

On the other hand, the owners of the Woodworth 
patent had so many machines in use that were paying 
them royalty, and would, in all probability, continue to 
do so after the patent was extended, that the compara- 
tively small number of machines that Norcross would 
put into the market during that time would do them but 
little harm so far as their income^ from royalties was 
concerned. Besides, as before stated, the Norcross had 
no matchers attached ; and being only a surface-planer, 
the lumber, after being planed, required to be cut up 
and run through a separate machine for matching, thus 
adding, to the cost of dressing, the expense of twice 
handling. 

So it is evident that both parties, each acting from 
different motives, were in favor of another extension of 
this great monopoly. 



FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE MONOPOLY. 23 



CHAPTER IV. 

APPLICATION FOR A FURTHER EXTENSION— FOR- 
MIDABLE REMONSTRANCE— DEFE A T OF THE 
ME A S URE—IMPR VEMEN TS, E TC. 

The public, however, was not to be duped again by 
resting supinely upon its back until the enemy had a 
second time bound it hand and foot. 

The manner in which the Norcross matter was set- 
tled, with many other things which transpired, created 
suspicion in the minds of those who were watching the 
movements of the monopoly ; and when it became def- 
initely known that they were quietly moving for 
another extension, by a special act of Congress, ar- 
rangements were made by the lumber-dealers outside 
of the monopoly with the publishers of the Scientific 
American^ a well-k>^own journal with an extensive cir- 
culation, and well known to the mechanical com- 
munity, and which was known to be bitterly opposed 
to the monopoly or its extension, to print and send out 
to each subscriber a form of protest against any further 
extension of the patent. 

These documents were accordingly sent out to each 
subscriber with a request that they not only sign it 
themselves, but to solicit all who were in any way 
interested in lumber to sign it also, and return the 
same to their office by a certain date. These protests 
were all arranged and attached to a strong printed pro- 



24 HISTORY OF THE PLANING- MILL. 

test and petition to Congress against any further exten- 
sion of the Woodworth patent. This formidable docu- 
ment, containing between fourteen and fifteen thou- 
sand names, was forwarded to Washington to a trusty 
member of Congress, who was to present it at the 
proper time, provided the subject was brought before* 
that body. 

Congress assembled December i, 1856, and the ex- 
tended patent had but twenty-seven days longer to run 
before it would expire. 

Gibson and others were ' on hand, backed by a host 
of the most expert lobbyists and plenty of money, and 
succeeding so far as to get a bill introduced early in 
the session to extend the patent for a further term of 
seven years from December 27, 1856. 

But when the remonstrance was presented, about 
the time when it came up for action, which resembled 
a roll of carpet more than a public document, they con- 
cluded not to read it, but to unroll and measure it, 
when it was found to contain two columns of closely- 
written names fifty feet long. This formidable docu- 
ment, coming, as it did, from their constitutents in all 
parts of the United States, without regard to party or 
politics, was too big a pill for them to swallow, and the 
result was that the great monopoly was totally routed. 
And this ended the career of the Woodworth patent. 

Gibson, who was currently reported to have spent 
another quarter of a million in his endeavors to pro- 
long the monopoly, returned to Albany in a frame of 
mind that can better be imagined than described. He 
imm^ediately employed an attorney to travel all over 
his territory and visit every sash, door, and blind 



FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE MONOPOLY. 2$ 

factory, besides other mills, which had used anything in 
the shape of rotary cutters in combination with feed- 
rolls, whether it be a planer, sticker, moulding-ma- 
chine, or anything else, and demand a settlement and 
payment of royalty from the time they had com- 
menced using the same up to December 27, 1856, or 
to commence suit against them at once. 

Previous to this time, no notice had been taken of 
those small machines for sash and door work. The 
owners of the patent had confined themselves strictly 
to planing-mills, and had, by tacit consent, allowed 
these machines to be run for years without any intima- 
tion that royalty would ever be demanded from them ; 
and when it became known that such action was to be 
taken, it created a profound sensation among that 
class of wood-workers. 

Some parties who were timid in the matter were 
frightened into a settlement ; while others, among 
whom was the writer, refused, not only to make a set- 
tlement, but advised him to invite Mr. Gibson to ac- 
company him to a certain place where the climate was 
much warmer than Albany. A few suits were com- 
menced ; but public sentiment had become so strong 
against the monopoly that I am not aware of any of 
them ever coming to trial. And it is not known to the 
writer just how much money his attorney obtained in 
this manner, — whether enough to pay his travelling 
expenses or not, — but one thing is well known : that 
this course of proceedings on the part of Mr. Gibson 
rendered him so odious in public opinion that, al- 
though he had a large stock of planing-machines on 
hand at his factory in Albany, he could not find sale 



26 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

for them, while other shops which had started in the busi- 
ness were running nights to keep up with their orders. 
His old customers would buy almost anything rather 
than have any dealings with him, and he was finally 
obliged to sell out his business, together with the stock 
on hand ; and they were purchased by Mr. Daniel 
Doncaster, a gentleman of fine mechanical abilities, 
and who had for many years acted as his foreman, and 
was well liked by his former customers. Mr. Don- 
caster continued the business successfully for many 
years after. Gibson afterwards retired to a farm in 
Steuben County, owned by his wife, and died a few 
years since, comparatively poor. 

Mr. Schenck removed his patterns and special tools 
to Matteawan, N. Y., as early as 1840, and the Schenck 
machine, as it was called, was manufactured there. But 
whether there was any arrangement with Gibson for 
the sale of those machines in his territory does not 
appear ; but from the fact that there were no Schenck 
machines met with in this State previous to 1856, the 
supposition is that they were sold east in his own terri- 
tory or in territory owned by other parties who did 
not manufacture. 

The Matteawan Company, as it was called, continued 
the manufacture of planing-machines as a part of their 
business long after the patent expired, and until that 
company went out of the business by failure. The 
tools and patterns pertaining to that part of the busi- 
ness went into the possession of John B. Schenck, and 
the business was conducted by him until his death, 
when his sons continued it under the firm name of 
John B. Schenck's Sons. 



IMPROVEMENTS, ETC, 2/ 

Mr. Pitts, of Detroit, Mich., was never engaged in 
the manufacture of planing-machines personally, but 
allowed his customers who desired to take a license 
under the patent in his territory to purchase their 
machines wherever they preferred ; he simply collecting 
the royalty on the amount of lumber planed by them. 
He owned and operated a large mill in Detroit, and, 
later, started one at Saginaw, Mich. Mr. Pitts, although 
possessed of a large fortune, was a very liberal-minded 
gentleman and business man, and died about 1870, 
universally respected by all who were acquainted with 
him. The writer had considerable dealings with him 
in 1863-4 by furnishing him a number of machines, 
and became personally acquainted with him ; and as 
those transactions were of the most satisfactory char- 
acter, they are still remembered with pleasure. 

Having traced the three original owners of the Wood- 
worth patent to the end of their connection with it, we 
now return again to the planer as it was constructed 
by the original manufacturers. 

The Woodworth planer previous to 1856, although 
it had been the bone of many contentions, was still a 
very crude and imperfect machine, as compared with 
those of the present time. In fact, there seemed to 
be no disposition on the part of those engaged in its 
manufacture to make any improvements : they seemed 
to carry out the idea that they were good enough ; and, 
as there was no competition, their customers could take 
it as it was or do without it. As soon, however, as 
the patent expired and was open to the public, new 
manufacturers started, and one improvement followed 
another, many of which were the subjects of new patents. 



28 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

until the whole machine has become so changed in its 
appearance and construction that it is a question if 
William Woodworth, could he return to this earth, 
would recognize it as the offspring of his original 
invention. 

The planing-machines manufactured by Gibson, 
Schenck, and others previous to 1856 were provided 
with straight uprights for the cylinder-boxes, and the 
cylinder worked up and down as it was required to be 
raised or lowered for the purpose of dressing thick or 
thin stuff, and worked at right angles to the frame. 

With this arrangement, it will be seen that if the 
belts were of the proper tension for planing lumber 
three fourths of an inch thick, they would be too short 
when the cylinder was raised sufficiently above the bed 
to admit of planing two-inch stuff. The common prac- 
tice was to keep short pieces of belt the right length to 
make up the difference ; and when it was required to 
plane thick lumber, these pieces were added to the 
belts and taken out again when the work was finished 
and the use of the machine required for thinner stuff. 

Again, the finger or star gearing that was used to con- 
nect the top and bottom rolls would only allow of an 
expansion of about one half an inch, and were not practi- 
cal to use on different thicknesses of lumber ; conse- 
quently, whenever a change from one thickness to an- 
other was required, these gears required to be changed 
also. There were several sets of them always ready 
for use, and it was no uncommon thing for the opera- 
tor to be obliged to change them half a dozen times 
during the day. 

The small pressure-roll behind the cylinder was an- 



IMPROVEMENTS, ETC, 29 

other very inconvenient arrangement. The adjustment 
of it was separate from the adjustment of the cylin- 
der, and required to be set every time the cyhnder was 
changed; and frequently the machine would require stop- 
ping several times before a proper adjustment of this roll 
would be obtained. The cylinder-belts, also, ran inside 
of the frame, which required the width of the frame to 
be from eighteen to twenty inches wider, in proportion 
to the width of the cylinder, than the modern machine. 

A modern operator of planing-machines would form 
rather an unfavorable opinion of a machine so con- 
structed that, if a job requiring a few hundred feet of 
thick stuff to be planed, before he could finish that 
part of the job, would require both cylinder-belts to be 
taken off and a piece put in each, then change all the 
gears upon the feed-rolls, besides stopping two or three 
times to adjust the small roll behind the cylinder, to- 
gether with all the rods and screws connecting the top 
feed-rolls with the weighted levers below, spending per- 
haps an hour or two in order to put the machine in 
proper shape to do perhaps one half hour's work, he 
would not only realize that great improvements had 
been made in the modern machine, but wonder that 
they were not made sooner. But, as before intimated, 
the poHcy of the owners of the patent were such as to 
effectually shut out all improvements as long as the 
patent was in force. 

In the machines that were brought out in 1857, the 
frames were narrowed up so as to allow the cylinder- 
belts to run outside of the frame, thus rendering them 
more compact and requiring less room. The uprights 
which supported the cylinder-boxes were placed at right 



30 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

angles to the driving-shaft, so that, in changing from 
one thickness of stuff to another, but Httle, if any, dif- 
ference was noticed in the tension of the belts. The 
small roll behind the cylinder was attached to the 
cylinder-boxes, so that it was adjustable with the cylin- 
der, and, when once adjusted, required no further ad- 
justment when the cylinder was raised or lowered to 
accommodate the different thicknesses of stuff. 

The dif^culty in keeping the small pressure-roll in 
front of the cylinder free from the small particles of 
gum which accumulated upon its surface, and which 
marred the face of the planed lumber, led most of the 
manufacturers to adopt the flat pressure-bar — an old 
device, which was used many years previous on the 
Andrews machine. This device was at first objected to 
upon the supposition that the friction upon the surface 
would obstruct the feed ; but subsequent use proved 
these objections to be unfounded, and soon after 1857 
the pressure-bar came into general use upon all first- 
class machines. 



BROWN EXTENSION-GEARS. 3^ 



CHAPTER V. 

BRO WN EXTENSION-GEARS— THER IMPRO YEMEN TS 
— B URLEIGH'S PA TENT DIMENSION-PLANER — 
HENRY D. STOVERS CELEBRATED CLAIM. 

We stated in the last chapter that, previous to the 
time when the Woodworth patent expired, very few 
improvements had been made upon the original ma- 
chine. With the exception of the Brown extension- 
gears, which were applied to it a short time previous, 
and which superseded the star or finger gears, the ma- 
chine, in its general features, was about the same as 
when first completed by the original owners. But as 
soon as the extended patent expired, the inventive 
genius of the whole country, or at least that portion 
of it who were in any way interested, seemed to turn 
their attention in that direction ; and there was no end 
to the alleged improvements that were brought out 
and patented within a few years after this event. 
Some were practical and useful, some really valuable ; 
but a large portion were of so trifling a nature that 
they were never heard of afterwards, and probably 
never known to any one but the inventor and the 
examiner at the Patent Office. 

The examiners at the Patent Office at that time seem 
to have granted about everything that was applied for, 
without giving themselves the trouble to look up and 
ascertain whether the thing appHed for was new and 



3 2 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

useful, or whether it had been patented previously or 
not ; as we find, in the time between 1856 and i860, 
several patents granted for the same thing, and dated 
so near the same time that they all must have been 
pending in the Office at the same time. 

One of the earliest patents we notice that came into 
use was one which was granted to James A. Woodburg, 
of Boston, Mass:, for a plan for moving both matcher- 
heads by means of two separate screws. As the old 
Woodworth machine moved one matcher-head by a 
screw, the simple fact of attaching another screw to 
the other head for the purpose of moving that also was 
a mere duplication of parts, and, under the present 
ruling of the Patent Office, would not be considered an 
invention, and, consequently, not patentable. 

The improved extension-gears invented by Charles 
Burleigh, of Fitchburg, Mass., and assigned to the 
Putnam Machine Co., was really a good invention, and 
was an improvement over the Brown gears, and over- 
came certain objections to that device. „, It consisted in 
forming one end of the links that confined the idle or 
loose gears to those attached to the roller-shaft in the 
form of the segment of a circle of the same radius as 
the idle gears, with teeth or cogs formed upon the out- 
side circumference so as to engage each other; and, 
when confined in this position by the cross-strap that 
kept them in gear, when the top roll was raised or 
lowered to accommodate the varying thickness of the 
lumber, those links worked together upon the same 
centre as the gears, thus always keeping them in the 
same relative position to each other, no matter what 
the position of the rolls might be. 



HENRY D. STOVER'S CELEBRATED CLAIM. 33 

The dimension-planer known as the Gray & Wood 
planer was patented January 24, i860, just about one 
month after the celebrated Stover patent was issued, 
which we shall soon notice. The Gray & Wood planer 
is so well known among wood-workers that a descrip- 
tion of it is deemed unnecessary, except so far as to 
illustrate the loose manner in which the business of the 
Patent Office was conducted at that time. The Gray 
& Wood planer, as is well known, is a modification of the 
old Daniels planer, which had long been in use ; and their 
improvements consisted in the application of a Wood- 
worth cylinder to plane the lumber lengthwise of the 
grain, instead of the arms of the Daniels, which worked 
crosswise, using the same sliding table as the Daniels. 
They also applied feed-rolls so that the lumber could 
be fed through the machine while the platen remained 
stationary, or the feed-works could be readily removed 
and the platen used in their stead when it was desirable 
to take the lumber out of wind. Their claims were 
few, and appear to be confined to just what they in- 
vented and-nothing more. 

Now, just about one month previous (December 18, 
i860) the Patent Office had granted to Henry D. 
Stover a patent for the same thing ; which not only 
covered everything which he had invented but every- 
thing which others had invented or could invent — 
principally the latter : and these two claims must have 
both been pending in the Office at the same time. 

While Mr. Gray is somewhat modest in his claims, 
and seems only to cover what he invented, Mr. Henry 
D. Stover goes in for the " whole hog." As this patent 
is such a remarkable one, and deserves to go into the 



34 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 

history of planing-mill machinery, we give the claims 
in full, as a historical curiosity. In the specification 
he say : 

" The claim and engravings will explain the nature of 
this invention. [No one will doubt that fact when he has 
read them.] 

" First, I claim the combination of cutting-cylinders 
{p) and cross-head {in), with two or more screws (e) for 
raising and lowering the cutting-cylinders evenly and 
parallel to the face of the platen. 

" I also claim to so pocketing or encasing the raising 
and lowering screws {e) in the uprights {c) that dust and 
shavings will be effectually excluded, whether the ma- 
chine is in operation or not. 

" 1 also claim so constructing the cutting-cylinders {o) 
as to receive four or more cutting-blades (Pj, each im- 
parting a shearing or drawing stroke or cut ; and, at 
the same time, for convenience in construction and ease 
in sharpening and securing the blade to the- head. 

" I also claim forming the portion of the cutter-head 
immediately back of the edges of the cutting-blades, — 
an angle varying from 5° to 45° from the face of the 
cutting-blades, — to constitute a solidly, variable, and 
efficient cap to the cutting-blades. 

" I also claim so constructing, connecting, and arrang- 
ing the sliding journal-boxes (T) with cross-head {111)^ 
which carries the cutting-cylinder (^), by means of rods 
{it\ that, when the cutter-head is raised or lowered, these 
journal-boxes will move so as to always retain a pre- 
cisely equal distance between the driving-pulleys and 
the driven pulleys on the cutter-head for equal tension 
of the belt. 



HENRY D. STOVER'S CELEBRATED CLAIM. 35 

" I also claim feeding the platen back and forth by 
friction-sHde {A), and wheel (/?), and rack (^), and 
pinion (6^), for the purpose set forth. 

'' I also claim reversing the movement of the platen 
by means of screw {iri) and wheel (<?), for forcibly en- 
gaging the rack by its pinion on the friction side of its 
wheel. 

'' I also claim sliding, moving, and attaching the 
cross-head (;;^), carrying cutting-cylinder (o) on and to 
the upright (Q, in and by adjustable slides {N\ 

'^ I also claim pivoting the journal-box (H) for the 
friction feed-shaft, and giving it a vertical adjustment 
to both swing and rise or fall with the feed-shaft. 

" I also claim several dogs, operated independently 
of each other, to effectually hold several pieces firmly 
to the platen for dressing, at the same time constructed 
substantially, as described. 

" I also claim sliding the feed-rolls into position for 
use, and removing them from the machine by means 
of gib-slides, so that these rolls are always secured for 
use, and yQ.t allow a free movement, and to require no 
additional security. 

" I also claim suspending and moving cross head for 
cutting-cylinder by screws (e), which are suspended in 
universal bearings ; and by universal nuts to allow a 
free and untrammelled movement for adjustment and 
ease in operating, and to secure the cutter-head parallel 
to platen at any elevation from its surface. 

" I also claim a conducting spout or trough (^4), so 
constructed and connected with cross-head or other 
part as to receive and conduct the shavings from the 
cutting-cylinder and the machine to any part desired, 



36 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 

by means of the current of air set in motion by the 
great velocity of the cutting-cylinder. 

" I also claim an elastic pressure-roll {D^ and 
scraper (74); that either can be used at pleasure, with 
the elastic pressure-roll, to plane straight and out of 
wind. 

" I also claim the iron uprights (Q, constructed with 
cavity or pocket for reception of elevating screws when 
combined with bed-piece of wood-planing machines, all 
substantially in the manner, or their mechanical equiva- 
lents for the purpose, fully set forth and described." 

This patent reminds us of the burlesque patent of 
the Frenchman and his dog for hunting frogs. The 
gun was strapped upon the back of the dog, which was 
a pointer, and when the dog pointed at a frog the 
Frenchman discharged the gun by means of a line at- 
tached to the dog's tail. He first claimed the combina- 
tion of the dog and gun ; second, the combination of 
the gun and dog; and, finally, he claimed the dog and 
gun both. If this was not a burlesque, we should say 
that the claims of one patent were about as reasonable 
as the other. 

With all due respect to the United States Patent 
Office, we do think that the genius who examined the 
claims of the Stover patent (provided they were ever 
examined), and passed them for issue, should have 
been retired from active service for the balance of his 
life upon a pension of four dollars per month. There 
are other patents which we shall notice that are ridicu- 
lous enough, but the Stover patent may be placed at 
the head of the list. 

The unsettled state of the country in 1861, and the 



HENRY D. STOVER'S CELEBRATED CLAIM. Z7 

almost universal depression of every branch of busi- 
ness, seems to have been a check to inventive genius, 
at least so far as the planing-machine was concerned. 
In fact, the report of the Commissioner of Patents for 
that year indicates that the business of the Patent 
Office had materially decreased in that time. In his 
report he says : 

"The decrease in the number of patents in i86r, as 
compared with the year previous, was 1479 » ^^i^ that 
the expenditures for the year exceeded the receipts 
$84,137.47." 

The only patents that we notice for alleged improve- 
ments in planing-machines was one granted to Henry 
D. Stover, which was a rehash of his celebrated patent 
of i860, in which he claimed, among other things, 
" several dogs," which we gave in full in the preced- 
ing chapter. This patent of 1861 had only ten claims; 
and if any of our readers should desire to read them, 
they may be found in the Patent Office reports for 
1861, page 437. 



38 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER VI. 

FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS— PATENTS OF WARD- 
WELL— WILLIAM H. DOANE AND OTHERS— THE 
CHIP-BREAKER— EARLY HISTORY OF THE MOULD- 
ING-MACHINE, ETC. 

Upon a revival of the business of the country, which 
commenced early in 1862, inventive genius seems to 
have awakened ; and the planing-machine, as well as 
other planing-mill machinery, was again a subject for 
further new and useful improvements. 

We notice, however, by a careful review of the busi- 
ness of the Patent Office for this year, that the largest 
number of patents which were granted were for imple- 
ments of warfare, which seemed to be the leading sub- 
ject for mechanical improvements ; and the number of 
patents granted that and subsequent years for devices 
for warlike purposes exceeded any other branch of 
business. 

The only patents of any consequence which we shall 
notice at this time which were issued in 1861, was one 
to C. P. S. Wardwell, of Lake Village, N. H., for 
planing clapboards ; which would appear, from the 
specification and drawings, to possess some new and 
useful features as adapted to that particular class of 
work ; still there is no apparent reason why, with a cer- 
tain modification of the cutters, the same work could 
not be done on any planing and matching machine. 



PATENTS OF WARDWELL. 39 

Another was granted to W. H. Doane and William E. 
London, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for alleged improvements 
in combined planing and matching machines. 

In their specification they state that "The invention 
relates to a method of attaching the tonguing, grooving, 
and matching works of a planing-machine to a sliding 
bed or ways, so that they can be instantly removed 
out of the way below the top of the bed upon which 
the planing-tools operate, and that the same machine 
can be used for planing either wide or narrow stuff 
without delay in the operation, and also for tonguing, 
grooving, and planing at the same time." 

There were several claims relating to the particular 
mechanical devices employed to accomplish this pur- 
pose which the inventors were clearly entitled to. But 
the first claim was too broad, and covered a principle 
which had already been in public use and on sale for 
more than two years previous to their application, 
and, consequently, invalid. This is the only claim 
which we shall notice. It says : 

" First, in a combined planing, tonguing, and groov- 
ing or matching machine, so attaching the tonguing and 
grooving or matching works that they may be adjusted 
to a position above or below the top of the planing-bed 
substantially in the manner and for the purpose de- 
scribed." 

This claim, when taken in its broad sense, would, as 
no doubt it was intended to, cover any and all devices 
for removing the matcher-spindles by dropping them 
below the bed, so that in surfacing wide stuff it would 
pass over the top of them. 

A device for this purpose, so far as relates to the 



40 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

lowering of the matcher-spindles below the bed when 
surfacing, had already been in public use and on sale 
for more than three years previous to this time ; and 
this device was well known to the writer, and had al- 
ready been applied to seventy-five or more machines 
which were in public use. The same was true of many 
other patents which were issued about this time, none 
more conspicuous than the patents of Henry D. Stover. 
In his application he was obliged to swear that he was 
the original and first inventor of the several devices set 
forth in his specification and mentioned in his claims. 
Now, while other inventors might have made the same 
affidavit — not knowing of the previous use of the same 
invention — and acted in good faith, believing that they 
were the original inventors of the devices named, in the 
case of Stover there would be no question but what he 
well knew that there was not one single original idea 
to be found in the whole thing, but was picked up 
here and there from other machines that had those 
same devices, and that had been in use in many of them 
for years previous. 

It is a notorious fact, as before mentioned, that the 
business of the Patent Office was so conducted at that 
time that all that was required was to get together any 
number of devices, no matter whether new or old, 
swear to being the original inventor, make application 
to the Patent Office in the prescribed form, pay the 
government fee (which was the most important part of 
the programme), and in due time a patent would be 
forthcoming. It seemed to be the prevailing idea with 
some manufacturers that if they could only secure the 
authority of the government to mark the word '' pat- 



PATENTS OF J, B. TARR AND OTHERS. 4 1 

ented" upon a machine, or an article of any kind, it 
would insure a ready sale whether the article was good 
for anything or not. 

There is one thing certain : the owners of many of 
the patents issued about this time never attempted to 
enforce their claims, for the reason, probably, that they 
were well aware that, if they did attempt it against 
others who were using these same devices, the 
courts would set them aside ; so, many of them con- 
tented themselves with blustering around and making 
terrible threats, which they never intended to put in 
force. 

From 1862 to 1866, there were a large number of 
patents granted for alleged improvements in planing- 
machines ; but as most of them were for devices that 
never came into general use, and our space will not 
admit of a notice of all of them, we pass over until June 
15, 1866, the date of the patent granted to J. B. Tarr, 
of Chicago, 111., for a device for protecting the edge of 
the board while being matched, and which is generally 
known among planing-mill operators as the " chip- 
breaker," and applied to the side-cutters. This patent 
was assigned to S. A. Woods of Boston, Mass., and 
applied to all subsequent machines of that manufac- 
ture. This was really a valuable invention, as all plan- 
ing-mill operators had long felt the necessity for some 
such device to prevent the board from splitting and 
slivering on the edge while being submitted to the 
action of the side-cutters. 

Unfortunately for the inventor, as the patent-laws 
were construed at that time, the patent was not a strong 
one. After describing^ his device — which consisted of 



42 HISTOR V OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

what he terms a mouthpiece, which was in the form of 
the segment of a circle hinged upon a pin nearly oppo- 
site the point in contact with the edge of the board, 
and pressed against it by means of a spring, — he says : 

" I claim the construction of the mouthpiece, and 
the arrangement of the slide and spring in relation to 
the cutter, substantially as herein described and showny 

This claim, under the construction put upon the law, 
and the rulings of the Patent Office in similar cases, 
confined him to the particular manner in which it was 
constructed, and did not prevent others from using a 
similar device for the same purpose, provided it was 
constructed in a different manner from that which was 
shown and described. 

Under this construction of the law, in January of the 
next year (1867), Mr. S. M. Richardson, of Worcester, 
Mass., applied for and obtained a patent for substan- 
tially the same thing, which accomplished the same 
purpose. In the Richardson device, instead of swing- 
ing the chip-breaker or mouth-piece upon a pin, it was 
worked in a circular groove, and was pressed against 
the board by means of a spring. As this was a depart- 
ure from the manner in which the Tarr patent was 
shown and described, it could not be held as an in- 
fringement of his claims. 

There is no doubt but Mr. Tarr was the originator 
of this device, as there is no record in the Patent Office 
or elsewhere of any device of this kind previous to the 
time he made his application ; and if his claims had 
been properly drawn and presented to the Patent 
Office, a much broader one might have been obtained 
and worded so as to cover all of the many devices which 



EARLY HISTORY OF THE MOULDING-MACHINE. 43 

were adopted by the different manufacturers, and his 
patent would have been a very valuable one. 

But as it was, every manufacturer of planing-ma- 
chines had a particular device of his own, differing just 
enough from the original to evade its claims ; and after 
the year 1866, very few machines were sent out from 
the shops without some kind of a chip-breaker attached 
to it. 

A number of patents were granted to James. A. Wood- 
bury, of Boston, Mass., duringthis and subsequent 
years, some of which were new and useful. Some were 
for old and well-known devices which were worked into 
the claims, and some of so frivolous a nature that they 
were not worth the paper they were printed upon, 
one of his patents which we notice, there were a num- 
ber of claims intended to cover about every piece of 
the machine, whether new or old ; and when he comes 
to the bottom cylinder, he says : 

'' I claim the bottom cylinder when placed at or near 
the end of the framed 

It is well known that all bottom cylinders since the 
days of the Woodworth patent were placed near the 
rear end of the frame — some forward of the leading-out 
rolls and some behind them. But, as the owners of 
this patent never attempted to enforce it against those 
who placed their bottom cylinder where they preferred, 
and as each manufacturer continued to put the bottom 
cylinder just where it suited him best, no court ever 
had the important question to decide just where ''at 
or near the end of the frame " was ; so the public are 
still in profound ignorance of this important locality. 

From this time (1866) down to 1870 there were but 



44 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

few changes made in the planing-machine. In fact, it 
had by that time about attained to a degree of perfec- 
tion that required but very few changes ; and those im- 
provements which were added from that time — many 
of which were subjects of patents — were more for con- 
venience in operating and changing than for any other 
purpose. 

Heavy-moulding machines were introduced about 
this time, and have since become such an important 
factor in the outfit of a planing-mill that they are fully 
entitled to be classed under the head of planing-mill 
machinery. This machine has a history of itself. 
Starting, out as it did, from a very simple device for 
working sash-bars, it has worked its way up to its pres- 
ent proportions and usefulness by the changes in mod- 
ern architecture, and by the skill of mechanical science, 
stimulated constantly by the demand for a better class 
of work than could be accomplished by the original 
machines, and was of such a nature that it could not 
be done practically upon a regular planer and matcher. 

The first attempt that we have any record of in this 
country for working irregular shapes by machinery, 
was made by the firm of Fay & Fisher, at Lancaster, 
Mass., the date of which we have not been able to ob- 
tain. This machine, however, proved to be a failure, 
from the manner in which the cutter-heads were con- 
structed. These cutter-heads were made in the form 
of a rim, resembling that of a pulley, with a solid plate 
upon one side. Slots were made in this rim to allow 
the cutters to project through, which were fastened to 
the plate on the inside by means of screws. 

The idea seemed to be to represent a common hand- 



EARLY HISTORY OF THE MOULDING-MACHINE. 45 

plane formed into a circle instead of being straight. 
These heads were unsafe, and bursted from the cen- 
trifugal strain upon them ; and after a few had been 
tested, no one would use them. The same styles of 
head were applied to a tenoning-machine got up by the 
same firm, with the same results, and were abandoned. 

In 1848, Mr. C. B. Rogers, of Norwich, Conn., com- 
menced the manufacture of wood-working tools, and 
soon after associated himself with Mr. J. A. Fay, who 
had now located at Keene, N. H. The shop at Keene 
was conducted under the firm name of J. A. Fay & Co., 
while the one at Norwich was under the firm name of 
C. B. Rogers & Co. ; and the first successful working 
sticker, as it was then called, was got up at the latter 
place. 

It was a very simple affair consisting of a wood 
frame. The arbor which carried the cutter-head worked 
upon centres fixed to the frame, running upon points 
about one half an inch in diameter and about three 
quarters of an inch long. The feed-works consisted of 
one fluted. roll one and a quarter inches in diameter, 
placed in front of the cutter-head and forced down upon 
the stuff by an adjustable spring. This was driven, by 
a set of wooden cone pulleys, from the back-shaft, so 
as to reduce the speed and to give the requisite amount 
of feed. The driving-pulleys were also of wood, at- 
tached to the same back-shaft ; and this, with a spring 
to hold down the stuff behind the cutter-head, com- 
prised about all the machinery there was about it. 
The table was also of wood, and attached to one side 
of the frame by means of a bolt at each end working 
in slots in the frame, and was adjusted up and down, 



46 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

to accommodate the different thicknesses of stuff, by 
means of screws at each end of the table. 

The form of cutter head adopted by this firm was 
what is termed the cap-head ; and as this style of cut- 
ter-head is still in extensive use with but little change, 
and is so well known to sash and door makers, a de- 
scription of it is unnecessary. 

This machine, crude as it was, proved to be a suc- 
cess ; and hundreds of them were sent out from both 
shops. The most essential parts of this machine were 
subjects of patents ; and for that reason this firm seemed 
to have almost a monopoly of this business for a time. 
Other wood-working machines were added to their list, 
until the demand for their machines was such that it 
became necessary to increase their production. A 
third shop was opened, at Worcester, Mass., and was 
placed under the management of Mr. E. C. Tainter, 
who is well known among the wood-workers as an old 
veteran in that line and by the familiar name of '' Eph." 
Mr. Tainter managed this shop until about 1857 or 
1858, when it was discontinued by this firm and passed 
into other hands ; leaving only the original two shops 
in the possession of this firm, which continued until the 
death of Mr. J. A. Fay, when the tools and machinery, 
together with the stock and fixtures, were removed to 
Norwich, and the whole business concentrated at that 
place. 

In 1863, this firm became incorporated under the 
corporate name of C. B. Rogers & Co., Mr. C. B. Rogers 
being its first president, which office be held until his 
death, when Mr. Lyman Gould succeeded him, and still 
holds that office ; while the active management of the 



EARL Y IIISTOR Y OF THE MO ULDING-MA CHINE. 4/ 

affairs of the business in detail has devolved upon its 
able and energetic secretary and general manager, Mr. 
R. W. Perkins. 

It is claimed by some that there were moulding- 
machines made in New York as early as those made at 
Norwich ; but upon strict inquiry we have failed to 
obtain any authentic account of any shop at that place 
that manufactured and put upon the market a mould- 
ing-machine at that time. We have record, however, 
of one or two shops which manufactured and sold 
mouldings about that time ; but it appears, from the 
best information we can obtain, that these machines, 
whatever their style was, were got up by the parties 
themselves for their own especial use, and not manu- 
factured or introduced to the public. Just when those 
machines were put in operation and when they went 
out of use, we have been unable to learn. 

But, to return again to our former subject. The ad- 
vanced state of the art of building, and a consequent 
increased demand for mouldings of a different and bet- 
ter design, rendered it not only necessary to work more 
than one side at a time, but, in order to carry the nec- 
essary machinery and perform the work in a satisfac- 
tory manner, a much heavier and stronger machine 
than had been heretofore built was required. 

About this time (between 1863 and 1866), the late 
Mr. H. B. Smith, then of Lowell, Mass., commenced 
to produce machinery for the manufacture of sash, 
doors, blinds, and mouldings, making this a specialty ; 
and devoted much time to perfecting his moulding- 
machine particularly. To Mr. Smith, it is believed, 
belongs the credit of first introducing iron frames ex- 



48 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 

clusively for this class of machinery. Other manufac- 
turers soon followed, and it was not long after the year 
1857 when iron frames were not only applied to this, 
but to nearly all other, wood-working machines, includ- 
ing the planing and matching machine. Mr. Smith 
also introduced a much heavier machine than had here- 
tofore been used ; and although they were quite light 
as compared with other machines which a few years 
later succeeded them, his work became very popular 
at that time. One of his improvements which he se- 
cured by letters patent was attaching the table to the 
frame by dovetailed slides and gibs, and the raising and 
lowering of the same was accomplished by one screw 
located near the centre of the machine, and easy of 
access. 

Previous to 1862, all moulding-machines were built 
with the overhanging head ; and as long as narrow 
strips only were worked, there was no difficulty in mak- 
ing smooth work. But when the demand for heavier 
work required wide strips to be used for heavy mould- 
ings, there was a tremble, which manifested itself upon 
the work, which was very objectionable. Various de- 
vices were applied, such as an outside bearing to sup- 
port the head ; but as those bearings were necessarily 
attached to the table, and required to be loosened every 
time the thickness was changed, they only partially an- 
swered the purpose sought for, and could not be con- 
sidered a practical device — although some manufac- 
turers are still using it on certain machines. 



THE INSIDE-MOULDER. 49 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE MOULDING-MACHINE, CONTINUED— THE INSIDE- 
MOULDER— INTRODUCTION OF THE RES A WING- 
MACHINE— THE CROSBY PATENT— MYERS &' UNI- 
SONS CLAIMS— SUIT BROUGHT AGAINST THE 
MESSRS. HAWLEY AND MR, DONCASTER — RE- 
SULTS, ETC. 

The increased demand for heavy work was such 
that, in order to meet it, a new departure in moulding- 
machines became necessary, which required the cutter- 
head to be placed between the bearings in the same 
manner as a planer and matcher. 

The Lee machine was the first which came into 
use constructed in this manner. It was got up very 
light. In the first machines, one side cutter-head was 
placed in front of the cyHnder, while the other was 
placed behind it. Notwithstanding this machine did 
not fully meet the expectations of the wood-workers, 
yet a great many were sold and put into use. 

In 1864 and 1865, three heavy twelve-inch inside- 
moulders were put upon the market — one by C. B. 
Rogers & Co., of Norwich, Conn. ; one by S. A. Woods, 
of Boston ; and one at Rochester, N. Y., by the author. 
These machines, although somewhat different in con- 
struction, were all intended to overcome the objections 
that had been urged against the Lee machine by the 
wood-workers, who claimed they were too unhandy to 
operate successfully. 

There is always a certain class of mechanics who are 
ready to oppose any new departure from the old beaten 



so HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

track; and in this case there was no exception. Some 
would still argue in favor of the overhanging head, for 
the reason that they could always have a number of 
duplicate heads set up for different kinds of work, and it 
was much easier to change the heads than to change the 
cutters. But the fine, smooth work turned out by their 
neighbors, when compared with the wavy and uneven 
work of their own, soon compelled them to fall into line 
and use the inside machine for heavy work, or allow 
the work to go to their competitor in the same business 
who had one. Besides, its availability was still more 
appreciated when it was found that when not in use 
for mouldings it could be profitably employed in plan- 
ing and matching ceilings, siding, door-casings, and 
wainscoting to better advantage than the same could 
be worked upon a planer and matcher. 

The introduction, also, of the four-sided slotted head 
greatly facilitated the setting of the cutters ; and the 
operators soon began to discover advantages which 
had not presented themselves before. The head hav- 
ing four sides, and provided with caps, sectional cutters 
could be used consisting of hollows and rounds, square, 
and other shaped tools, so that a great variety of dif- 
ferent shaped mouldings could be stuck with the same 
tools by simply changing the combination ; ' besides 
being much easier to keep in order. 

The inside-moulder, so called, is now extensively 
used in planing-mills where large quantities of ceiling are 
manufactured. As there are no feed-rolls behind the 
cylinder to draw the stuff out, it requires that the strips 
should all be of one width, so that one may follow the 
other in succession ; otherwise, whenever it became 
necessary to change the width, a narrow strip would 



THE INSIDE-MOULDER. 51 

require to be run in order to push the last piece beyond 
the side-cutters. 

The work on fine ceiling is much smoother than 
when run on a common matcher, as there are no rolls 
to pass over the face of the stuff, after being planed, to 
mar its surface by chips or small particles of gum which 
are liable to adhere to them. 

The modern planing-mill, well equipped in order to 
meet the requirements of the present time, requires a 
number of auxiliary machines for fitting and preparing 
the lumber for use both previous to and after it has 
been planed. It is true that the mills of an early date, 
with the limited amount and variety of work which 
were required of them, only demanded a saw-table for 
ripping up the lumber to the requisite width ; and after 
being run through the planer, the work was completed, 
so far as the planing-mill was concerned. 

The modern mill goes still further — it not only 
planes and matches the lumber, but fits it for the dif- 
ferent uses required in building ; so that when the 
lumber leaves the planing-mill, there is but little hand 
labor required. 

In speaking of the improvements in planing-mill 
machinery, and the improved methods of getting out 
lumber for building purposes, an old planing-mill owner 
remarked : " A few years ago, if you wanted to build a 
house, you would employ a carpenter to do the work ; 
but now all you have to do is to get your architect to 
make your plans, then go to the planing-mill and order 
your house made, then purchase a few kegs of nails, 
and hire a carpenter to put it together." This was per- 
haps putting it a little too strong ; but it is a fact that 



52 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the amount of hand labor which is required to complete 
an ordinary dwelling-house is very small, in comparison 
to what it was a few years ago. 

One of the early machines that came into use in 
connection with the planer was the resawing machine. 
Saw-tables, it is true, were in use for resawing certain 
kinds of work, particularly bevelled siding, long before 
the introduction of the resawing-machine. These were 
provided with bevelled guides, and springs to hold the 
stuff up to the guides while the board was fed to the 
saw by hand. This style of making bevelled siding — 
or clapboards, as they were called — was expensive, as it 
required the labor of two men — one to push the board 
forward, and another at the opposite end to pull it out; 
besides, the irregularity of the feed would cause the 
saw to run, frequently, making thick and thin places in 
the siding, which was an objection to this method. 
The progress that had been made in working lumber 
by machinery demanded greater accuracy, and the 
want was felt of something that would turn out truer 
work with greater economy of labor. 

The Crosby resawing-machine, which was patented 
in 1842, was intended to supply that want. Its manner 
of construction was an upright saw, working in a frame 
similar to an old-fashioned saw-mill. This was mounted 
upon a suitable frame and provided with an automatic 
feed. This machine, although very effective and ac- 
curate in its work, was slow as compared with the ma- 
chines which succeeded it, or even with the saw-table 
with the hand-feed, and did not fully meet the require- 
ments of the planing-mill owners. It is true, the ex- 
pense of running it was small, as it could be attended 



THE CROSBY PATENT. 53 

by a boy, after being properly set and adjusted ; so 
that, in the end, a much better quality of siding could 
be made, and at less expense, than by the old process 
of sawing by hand. This machine had a rapid sale, 
and in a short time very few mills of any capacity could 
be found without one. 

The claims of the Crosby patent were so broad as 
to effectually shut off any improvements while the 
patent was in existence. After describing the ma- 
chine by the usual specification, he says : 

'' I claim the combination of automatic feed-rolls 
with a saw, either circular or upright." 

This claim gave him as complete a monopoly as the 
claims of the Woodworth patent ; and, like the owners 
of the latter, customers could take this or nothing, 
there being no choice in the matter. 

This patent, or the right to manufacture and sell, 
came into the possession of the late John Gibson, of 
Albany, while he was manufacturing the Woodworth 
planer; and the two monopolies worked well together — 
at least, as far as Mr. Gibson was concerned — while it 
lasted. Although Mr. Gibson personally was opposed 
to improvements of any kind, saying that the machines 
were " good enough," yet, through the influence of 
Mr. Doncaster, who was his foreman at that time, he 
consented to allow him to introduce a circular saw on 
the small-sized machines which were intended for saw- 
ing bevelled siding, using the same frame-gearing and 
rolls. 

This machine, which afterwards became known as 
the "Doncaster machine," soon superseded the up- 
right, and was manufactured and sold for several years 



54 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MTLL. 

before the Crosby patent expired, and long after Mr. 
Doncaster became the successor of John Gibson. Up 
to this time no attempt, so far as we can ascertain, was 
made to cut anything wider than six or eight inches, 
and a saw twenty-two inches in diameter was about the 
largest size used, which was ground to an even thick- 
ness of about 13 gauge. 

The demand for a machine to cut wider stuff led to 
the introduction of the taper-ground saw ; as a straight 
saw of sufficient diameter to cut wide stuff would nec- 
essarily require to be so thick that there would be but 
little economy in its use. Upon the introduction of 
the taper-ground saw, another change was required, in 
order to relieve the centre of the saw from the pressure 
upon its sides while the stuff was passing over it. This 
was met by Mr. Doncaster by introducing two small 
plates, one on each side of the saw, and firmly at- 
tached to the bed-plate, so that, when the lumber that 
was being sawed came in contact with those plates, it 
was sufficiently spread to relieve the saw from the fric- 
tion which would otherwise be exerted upon it. 

There is no doubt about Mr. Doncaster being the 
original inventor of this device. But as he never applied 
for a patent upon it, when the Crosby patent expired, 
and other manufacturers commenced the manufacture 
of resawing-machines, this same device, with various 
modifications, was generally adopted; and up to 1869 
nearly every manufacturer of wood-working machinery 
included in his catalogue a resawing-machine. 

In this year a cloud appeared, which threatened for 
a time a general raid upon both the manufacturers and 
users throughout the whole country. It appeared that, 



MYERS AND UmsON'S CLAIMS. 55 

years before the original Crosby patent had expired, 
Messrs. Myers & Unison had jointly taken out a pat- 
ent for alleged improvements in resawing-machines in 
which {a la Stover) they had claimed, not only what 
they had invented, but everybody else. Their claims 
covered the spreaders referred to ; also the use of wide 
collars and adjustable guides ; and, in fact, everything 
which went to make up a resawing-machine. 

This patent, originally granted for fourteen years, 
had run the allotted time and been extended for seven 
years longer ; and just before the seven years expired, 
Mr. Unison took his grip-sack and started out for a 
general raid, threatening both manufacturers and users 
with immediate suits and injunctions, provided they 
did not make immediate settlement with him for in- 
fringing a patent that had never been advertised or in 
any manner put upon the market, or any steps taken 
to notify the public of its existence. Some were fright- 
ened into a settlement, while others told him to go 
ahead. There was only one suit commenced, and that 
was against the Messrs. Hawley, an extensive lumber 
firm in Albany, N. Y., in connection with Mr. Doncas- 
ter. The Messrs. Hawley were using a number of 
machines of Mr. Doncaster's make. They, to use a 
slang phrase, " did not scare worth a cent," but went 
at it in earnest. 

The result of the litigation was that Mr. Unison was 
not only defeated in the Circuit Court of the United 
States, but his patent was set aside as null and void. 
Other raids were made about this and subsequent years, 
which will be referred to hereafter. 



56 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ABUSES OF PATENT-LAWS— THE ACT OF i^-jo— THE 
WOODBURY PATENT— ATTEMPTS TO BUILD UP 
ANOTHER PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY— A SUIT IN 
WHICH THE PATENT WAS SET ASIDE. 

It is not our purpose at this time to discuss the ad- 
vantages or the disadvantages under which the pubhc 
have labored from time to time in consequence of per- 
verted patent-law, or the alleged patented inventions 
which have grown out of it. There is no question but 
the original intent of the patent-law and the institution 
of the Patent Office was to protect the honest, bona fide 
inventor in the works of his brain. But a good law 
perverted by designing men may become an unjust 
one, and work injury not only to the individual in- 
ventor, but the public also. It may be almost impossi- 
ble to so frame a law that its provisions may not be 
evaded or taken advantage of by selfish and designing 
men for their own purposes, thereby working injustice 
to an honest and unsuspecting public ; and it does not 
require a very profound lawyer to discover this fact in 
many cases. 

The act of July 8, 1870, sec. 24, was intended to cor- 
rect certain faults which had existed under the former 
laws, and to enable an honest, bona fide inventor, whose 
application may have been rejected through the ignor- 
ance of the examiner, or otherwise, to obtain another 



THE WOODBURY PATENT. 57 

hearing, and again present his claims for a further con- 
sideration before the Patent Office. The section 
referred to reads as follows : 

" And be it further enacted, That any person who 
has invented or discovered any new and useful art, 
machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or 
any new and useful improvement thereof not known 
or used by others in this country, or not patented or 
described in any printed publication in this or any 
foreign country before his invention or discovery 
thereof, and not in public use or on sale for more than 
two years prior to his application, unless the same is 
proved to have been abandoned, may, upon payment 
of the duty required by law, and other due proceed- 
ings had, obtain a patent therefor." 

While the provisions in this act were intended to re- 
lieve a certain class of inventors who had failed to 
obtain their just claims, the same act was taken ad- 
vantage of by others whose inventions were not orig- 
inal, and for that reason were justly refused, and had 
long since been abandoned to the public with their full 
knowledge and tacit consent. Many of these old 
claims were revived and, by the assistance of skilled 
attorneys, pushed through without any regard to the 
welfare of the public. Conspicuous among this class 
of pretended inventors was Joseph P. Woodbury, with 
his alleged invention of the pressure-bar, which is used 
upon all planing-machines, and had been in public use 
for more than twenty years ; and the manufacturers 
and users were more than astonished when it was an- 
nounced that a patent had been granted to him dated 
April 29, 1873. 



$8 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

At first the planing-mill men looked upon it as a 
huge joke, as it became known that this same Joseph 
P. Woodbury had, on the 3d day of June, 1848, made 
appHcation for a patent on this same device, and, after 
a close examination, it was rejected upon the grounds 
that the same device was shown on a machine patented 
several years previous, and consequently he was not 
the original inventor ; and, further, he had withdrawn 
the application and the Government had refunded a 
certain portion of the fee, as provided by law in cases 
of rejection and abandonment. 

No further notice was taken of it until it was an- 
nounced by circulars received that the patent had been 
assigned to a certain company of capitalists under the 
title of "The Woodbury Patent Planing-machine Com- 
pany, of Boston, Mass.," with a capital of several million 
dollars, and that they were about to adopt certain 
measures for enforcing their claims. 

Those circulars set forth — which were sent to all 
users and owners of planing-machines — ^that the follow- 
ing royalties upon all lumber planed or dressed from 
the date of the aforesaid patent, and in future, would 
be as follows : *' Twenty cents per thousand feet of 
boards, plank, or timber (board measure estimated at 
one inch thick or less) planed, dressed, manufactured, 
tongued, grooved, sided, or straightened upon the 
machine or machines upon which said invention and 
improvement is hereby licensed to be used ; twenty 
cents for each and every thousand of clapboards planed 
by the use of such machine having said improvement 
licensed as aforesaid (estimated at four feet long, ox pro 
rata for all over four feet long); and twenty cents for 



THE WOODBURY PATENT. 59 

each and every thousand Hneal feet of gutters, con- 
ductors, mouldings, or any other irregular forms of 
lumber planed or cut with any machine on which said 
improvement maybe used under this license; — payable 
in quarterly payments on the first days of February, 
May, August, and November of each and every year 
hereafter." 

Notice accompanying this document was to also 
notify all that if this form of license was not signed at 
once, and its provisions complied w^th, suits for in- 
fringement would be commenced without further 
notice. 

Finding this company were in earnest, and that an 
attempt would be made to enforce the claims of that 
patent, circulars were prepared and sent out among 
the wood-workers, inviting them to meet with the 
manufacturers, and all other parties interested, at 
Albany, N. Y., to take into consideration the proper 
means for their own protection. It was unanimously 
resolved to form themselves into an association, raise 
the necessary funds, and employ the best counsel to 
defend any actions that might be brought against any 
member of the association. John T. Drew, an emi- 
nent patent-attorney, was retained with instructions 
accordingly. 

Nothing, however, was done by the company except 
to annoy the planing-mill users with threatening letters 
and circulars until May 4, 1875, when a petition was 
filed with the Attorney-general of the United States, 
by Mr. Lyman Gould, of Norwich, Conn., for a scire 
facias proceeding to set the patent aside. This was 
done in order to arrive at some decision, and relieve 



6o HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the planing-mill owners from being constantly annoyed 
by threatening letters and circulars from the Wood- 
bury company. 

The ground upon which this petition was made, as 
set forth in the petition, was that he had proposed to 
them, through his attorney, Mr. Drew, that they 
should commence a suit against him or any other 
party which they might select, and thereby test the 
validity of the patent, and stop the annoyance to his 
customers and others by constantly threatening them 
with a multiplicity of visits. Another reason set forth 
in the petition was, that many of the witnesses were 
old men and feeble, and that, by constant and pro- 
longed delay, their death might be the means of their 
testimony being lost ; that he believed the patent was 
obtained by fraudulent representations at the Patent 
Office ; and that the device covered by the said patent 
was in common use and on sale, with the knowledge 
and consent of the patentee, for more than two years 
prior to his application for a patent in 1848 ; and that 
the said Joseph P. Woodbury was engaged in selling, 
as the agent for another firm, machines, with pressure- 
bars attached, as early as the 28th of March, 1846. 

While the investigation which followed did not show 
any direct fraud on the part of the Patent Office, it 
brought out the fact that the patent had been rejected 
on the same grounds as before — for the lack of novelty, 
and that M. D. Leggett, the Commissioner of Patents, 
had finally issued it under protest, and in opposition to 
the judgment of the board of examiners in chief, but in 
accordance with a decision of the Supreme Court of the 
District of Columbia in the ex parte case of Gray. The 



THE WOODBURY PATENT. 6 1 

owners of the Woodbury patent appeared, by their 
counsel, in opposition to this petition, and, by bring- 
ing in a mass of testimony and promising to bring 
suit at an early day in order to test its validity, the 
order for scire facias proceedings was countermanded. 

The next move in this interesting game was a circu- 
lar sent out by the Woodbury Patent Planing-machine 
Company, indorsed by Mr. John T. Drew and some 
of the prominent members of the Planing-mill Associ- 
ation, recommending a compromise by each paying 
one hundred and sixty dollars per year royalty for 
each machine, in lieu of the former schedule of prices ; 
also requiring each one so licensed on these terms to 
sign an agreement recognizing the validity of the 
Woodbury patent, and that they would in no way aid 
"Or assist, in any manner whatever, in the defence of 
any suit that might be brought against those who 
might refuse to take out a license under this patent. 
Some were inclined to comply with those terms, and 
paid the royalty demanded and obtained a license. 

In this arrangement the manufacturers were left out, 
and no provision made for them ; and as there was a 
strong suspicion of treachery somewhere, a meeting of 
the manufacturers was called at the St. Nicholas Hotel, 
in New York, to discuss the situation and devise means 
for their own protection. The result was that they 
formed themselves into an association under the name 
of " The Planing and Moulding Machine Manufactur- 
ers' Association ;" elected their officers, with authority 
to employ counsel to defend any suits which might be 
entered against them or their customers. Each manu- 
facturer notified his customers to make no compro- 



62 HISTORY OF THE PLAMING-MILL. 

mise with the Woodbury company; and that if any 
suits were entered against them, they would be de- 
fended by this association. 

This effectually put a stop to the compromise meas- 
ures, and there was no other resort for the Woodbury 
company but to commence suit or abandon their claims. 

The object of the manufacturers in forming this as- 
sociation was of a twofold nature. One was the desire 
to protect their customers who had purchased their 
machines in good faith ; and another was that, if the 
Woodbury company succeeded in sustaining the patent 
without any provision for the manufacturers, when 
this object was accomplished it was suspected that it 
was their intention to start a large manufactory of 
their own, and refuse to license any one to manufacture 
and sell under their patent ; thereby creating another 
monopoly greater than that of the Woodworth. 

Mr. Lyman Gould, who was elected president of the 
association, was authorized to retain counsel and appear 
on the part of the association as the defendant, in case 
a suit was brought, the expenses to be assessed upon 
the members and such other interested parties who 
might wish to unite with them. 

The Woodbury company, finding there was no other 
recourse, finally entered suit against one Allen W. 
Keith, of Maiden, Mass., for infringement of the afore- 
said patent. The bill of complaint set forth their 
grievances in the usual manner, and was filed in the 
Circuit Court of the United States for the District 
of Massachusetts, on the eleventh day of December, 
1875. Messrs. D. Hall Rice, Benjamin F. Thurton, and 
Charles E. Pratt were retained as counsel for the de- 



ANOTHER PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY, 63 

fence, and filed the answer for Mr. Keith in the usual 
manner, setting forth the grounds for the defence, and 
^ also filed it with the court on the seventh day of Feb- 
ruary, 1876. 

The suit was vigorously contested on both sides ; and 
a vast amount of testimony was produced by the de- 
fence showing conclusively, first, that Woodbury was 
not the first and original inventor of the pressure-bar ; 
and, second, that if he was, he had clearly abandoned it 
after its rejection in 1848, and allowed it to go into 
public use and on sale with his full knowledge and con- 
sent for more than twenty years. 

These facts were so clearly set forth by testimony 
and exhibits on the part of the defence that the patent 
was declared void and set aside by the Circuit Court. 
The Woodbury company, not satisfied with this deci- 
sion, appealed to the Supreme Court of the United 
States, which, after reviewing the testimony, confirmed 
the decision of the Circuit Court, thus putting an end 
to one of the greatest frauds that was ever attempted 
upon the public. 

There were in use at that time twenty thousand 
machines that would have been liable to a tax under 
the offered compromise of one hundred and sixty dol- 
lars per year, which, if they had succeeded, would have 
taken from one of the prominent industries of the 
country the sum of three million two hundred thousand 
dollars annually for seventeen years, provided no more 
mills had started ; making, in the aggregate, the sum of 
fifty-four million four hundred thousand dollars that 
would have been wrung from the industries of the 



64 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

country to enrich half a dozen greedy cormorants, 
without any compensation in return whatever. 

If Joseph P. Woodbury had been the first and origi- 
nal inventor of the pressure-bar, — which it was plainly 
proved that he was not, — and had given the public this 
really valuable- and useful device, there is no reason why 
he should have been deprived of a reasonable compensa- 
tion for his labor and expenses ; but even if he was, 
there would be a manifest injustice in awarding any 
such sum as was demanded by the company who at- 
tempted unjustly to enforce his claims. 

Since the time referred to, the manufacturers of plan- 
ing-machines have increased. Many valuable improve- 
ments have been added, until the planing-machine of 
to-day, for perfection in its construction and the quan- 
tity and quality of its work, ranks second to no other 
class of labor-saving machinery ; and by the use of 
special tools and improved machinery for their con- 
struction, and with no royalties to pay to greedy cor- 
porations, the manufacturers are enabled to put this 
valuable and useful machine in the market at a price 
within the reach of lumbermen of moderate means. 
The introduction of cast-steel cylinders renders them 
strong and safe, and enables them to be run at a much 
higher rate of speed than formerly, and with a faster 
feed — thus increasing their capacity and usefulness. 

We have now traced the planing-machine from its 
earliest inception down through its various stages of 
improvement to the present modern-made machine ; 
and to pursue this subject further would be uninterest- 
ing to planing-mill men, who are supposed to be famil- 
iar with most of the machines of the present time, 



ANOTHER PLANING-MILL MONOPOLY. 65 

But we cannot close this history without indulging in a 
few reflections upon modern improvements and the 
inventive genius which naturally suggest themselves. 

The object and ambition of the original inventor of 
any machine — who sometimes spends many valuable 
years of his life in the development of his idea — is to 
produce a certain result ; when that result is accom- 
plished and looked upon by another inventor, it ap- 
pears to him exceedingly simple. 

The object sought by the first inventor of the plan- 
ing-machine was to devise certain means whereby 
boards could be planed by machinery. Little attention 
was given to the style, beauty, or symmetry of its parts. 
A strong wooden frame was the first thing required ; 
and then to adapt certain devices to that frame to per- 
form the work was the next consideration. No mat- 
ter if the cylinder was composed of three triangular 
pieces of wrought-iron fastened to a bar of iron for a 
shaft, with nothing to support the knives between them 
but their own strength, it demonstrated the principle 
and established the fact that lumber could thus be 
planed by the action of rotary cutters. 

Inventors had exhausted their skill for years in en- 
deavoring to invent some means of planing lumber 
other than by the slow and laborious process with the 
hand-plane. But in all their efforts they seem to have 
never departed from the idea of the reciprocating mo- 
tion of the hand-plane. Their machines were not suc- 
cessful in accomplishing the object sought for ; and it 
would seem that rotary cutters running at a high speed 
were only resorted to after every other device had 
failed. In the first attempts to apply the rotary cut- 



66 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

ter-head, the lumber was pushed through by hand ; 
but this was found to be not only a laborious opera- 
tion, but a dangerous one. With the imperfect de- 
vices for holding down the stuff while being acted 
upon by the cutters, the knives were liable at any 
time to catch the stuff and throw it back towards the 
operator with great force. In fact, it was very soon 
discovered that some automatic feeding-device must 
be adopted in order to render the machines safe, effec- 
tive, and practical ; and the introduction of rolls for 
this purpose was the first thing that presented itself. 
Although they were nothing but blocks of wood with 
iron gudgeons, and turned round by a wooden pulley 
attached to the gudgeon for driving them, yet it estab- 
lished a principle and demonstrated the fact that lum- 
ber could thus be automatically fed through the ma- 
chine while the surface was being acted upon by the 
cutters. 

And so on with every other part of the machine. 
One idea suggested another, and improvements were 
made from time to time as their necessities presented 
themselves. 

Although Mr. Woodworth has the credit of inventing 
the planing-machine, — which still bears his name, — 
much had been done towards it by other inventors pre- 
vious to his time ; but to him, no doubt, belongs the 
credit of collecting the various abandoned experiments 
of other inventors which had preceded him, and so com- 
bining, modifying, and arranging them with his own 
ideas as to make a successful and practical machine. 

This is the history of all new and useful inventions ; 
and it may be truly said that it is doubtful if there 



SUIT IN WHICH THE PATENT WAS SET ASIDE. 6/ 

is one of the many useful machines of the present day, 
either for working wood or iron, that is purely the in- 
vention of any one man. An inventor, for instance, 
discovers the necessity for a machine to facilitate the 
manufacture of a certain article ; he devotes his time 
and energies to discover the necessary combination of 
mechanical devices which will imitate substantially 
the same motions of the hand in performing the same 
work. After a time, by hard study and close applica- 
tion, he succeeds in bringing together the necessary 
mechanical devices to produce those motions, and the 
work which had heretofore been performed by hand 
can now be successfully performed by the machine — 
just as perfect and a great deal faster. 

But after all, certain defects may be discovered that 
were not anticipated by the inventor at that time, which 
he or a subsequent inventor may remedy, and thereby 
render the machine much more simple and effective. 
A third inventor, after examining and studying what 
the first and second have done, will also discover cer- 
tain defects and chances for improvements, which the 
first and second inventors never thought of. And so 
it goes on from one to another, just as the planing-mill 
of the present day was evolved from Mr. Woodworth's 
first machine. 

The sewing-machine is another practical illustration 
of progressive mechanical invention. The first sewing- 
machines exhibited at the World's Fair in New York 
were crude affairs as compared with those at the pres- 
ent time. And although Mr. I. M. Singer and others 
had devoted years of study to construct a machine 
which would stitch a plain seam, it was only a partial 
success until another inventor, Mr. Elias Howe, Jr., 



68 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

came forward with a needle having an eye near the 
point, which enabled them to accomplish that object 
which had been so long sought for. The original 
machines, as exhibited at the time and place just 
referred to, were run by a crank with the right 
hand, while the work was guided by the left, and 
an expert operator could make about one hundred 
stitches per minute. This was considered lightning 
speed as compared with hand-sewing, and excited the 
wonder and admiration of the immense crowd of spec- 
tators which gathered around them daily to watch their 
operation. Nothing but plain stitching was then at- 
tempted. Now, when we compare those machines with 
the machines of the present day, with all their attach- 
ments of hemmers, tuckers, rufflers, quilters, braiders, 
and the Lord knows what else, together with the light- 
ning speed at which they are run, we may truly ex- 
claim, " Great is the progressive inventive genius of 
the present age !" If our girls, with all the stitching, 
flouncing, and puckering that is put upon their dresses, 
were obliged to perform all this work by hand, as their 
grandmothers did, they would pray for the fashions to 
change and give them their grandmothers' simplicity 
of dress. 

The mowing-machine and reaper are also illustra- 
tions of this subject. While McCormick had expended 
thousands of dollars and years of time in his attempts 
to perfect this machine, it was only a partial success 
until Hussey invented the finger-bar, which proved to 
be the connecting-link between it and success. And 
although Mr. Hussey had a hard struggle to sustain 
and protect his rights against money and powerful in- 
fluence, he was one of a few original inventors who 



AA^ A M ERICA N CHA RA C TERIS TIC. 69 

were successful in sustaining their rights. His death 
occurred in a railroad accident between Baltimore and 
Washington, while the suit with McCormick was pend- 
ing at the latter place ; yet his friends carried on the 
suit to a successful termination, and his widow realized 
a large fortune from it. 

It is characteristic of the American people that, if 
one man invents anything new and useful, another will 
make an effort to invent something better. After 
years of untiring labor, when Prof. S. F. B. Morse had 
succeeded in establishing the fact of telegraphy, other 
inventors came forward to share the honors and divide 
the profits with him ; but after many a hard-fought 
battle, the Morse system prevailed over its competitors. 

But even now that system has found a rival of no 
mean proportions, in the telephone. This system, of 
transmitting the human voice to a distance is still in 
its infancy, and only the '' iron-clad patent " of Prof. 
Bell prevents other and better systems from being in- 
troduced. 

Inventive genius, however, is at work ; and when the 
Bell patent expires, there is no doubt but more perfect 
and delicate instruments will be put in use, so that 
messages may be transmitted by telephone as far as by 
telegraph. And when that time arrives, the telegraph, 
like the stage-coach and the canal-packet as compared 
with railroads, will be obliged to give way to its more 
rapid rival. 

Truly we live in a fast age ! 

The following chapters are devoted to the construc- 
tion, care, and management of planing-mill machinery. 



70 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 



CHAPTER IX. 

CONS TR UCTION OF MA CHINER Y— QUALITY A ND 
STRENGTH OF CASTINGS— CARE IN MOULDING- 
FRAMES FOR MACHINES, ETC . 

The important purposes to which iron is appHed in 
the construction of machinery render it always a sub- 
ject of interest to the scientific mechanic ; and there is 
no time in its history, from its first discovery to the 
present time, when its importance and the necessity 
for its use is more appreciated. There is scarcely any- 
thing connected with the mechanic arts at the present 
time but what iron, either cast or malleable, enters 
into its composition directly or indirectly. 

Castings for machinery should never have less te- 
nacity than sixteen thousand pounds to the square 
inch ; and the safest plan, when machinery is to be 
constructed requiring great strength, is to require tests 
to be made of certain mixtures of iron, and specify in 
the contract that the castings shall show a certain 
strength. And then leave it to the foundryman to se- 
lect his own grades of iron, and mix them according to 
his own fancy. Poor iron in castings is bad enough at all 
times ; but even with good iron the machinist often has 
other troubles to contend with. 

Patterns may be carefully made according to the 
drawings, and all necessary allowances made for shrink- 
age, planing, turning, etc. ; but if the moulder is care- 



QUALITY AND STRENGTH OF CASTINGS. 7 1 

less with his work, the casting may come out crooked 
and winding- so that it will require double the work in 
finishing. Sometimes it may happen that the faults 
are so great that the casting cannot be used ; and then 
the labor of moulding, casting, and remelting is a loss 
to the foundry. 

Another difificulty machinists have to contend with, 
in castings that require to be finished upon the surface, 
is large holes just below the surface. These holes are 
frequently so well concealed by the outer surface that 
they are not discovered until nearly the whole surface 
of a large piece is planed off. If not too large, they 
are sometimes filled up with other metal ; but if they 
are large enough to materially weaken that part of the 
machine, they must be returned to the foundry. In 
this case, the foundry loses the casting, and the ma- 
chine-shop the labor of planing. 

In most cases these faults may be avoided by reason- 
able care on the part of the moulder. These spots, or, 
as they are generally called, blow-holes, are caused by 
the penf-up gases that are generated by the melted 
iron coming in contact with the sand. The sand being 
damp, and containing more or less Vegetable matter, 
generates a large amount of gas and steam ; and if 
some provision is not made for its escape through the 
sand, the upper surface of the casting will be filled 
with those air bubbles that cannot escape. This may 
be avoided if proper care and attention is exercised on 
the part of the moulder in giving the mould sufificient 
vent. This is accomplished by running a small wire 
through the sand in the cope before the pattern is 
withdrawn, so as to form a series of small holes — not 



72 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

large enough to allow the iron to run through, but suf- 
ficient to allow the gases to escape as the iron rises in 
the mould. 

In heavy castings, to insure success it is not only 
necessary to perforate the sand in the manner just de- 
scribed, but also to use what moulders call risers. A 
riser is a round piece of wood, varying in size and 
length according to the size of the casting. This piece 
of wood is placed in the sand, one end resting upon the 
pattern, and the other projecting above the flask, so 
that when the flask is filled with sand and rammed up, 
the riser may be withdrawn, leaving an opening from 
the mould to the surface of the sand. The iron rises 
in this hole when the mould is filled, and not only al- 
lows the gases to escape, with other lighter matter 
which may float upon the surface, but also exerts a 
pressure upon the iron while in a liquid state, in the 
same manner that a column of water exerts a pressure 
upon a pipe ; and castings thus made, under a moderate 
pressure are more compact and of finer grain. 

Good castings, when taken from the sand arid brushed 
off, should have on the outer surface a smooth, clear, 
and continuous skin, with regular faces and sharp 
angles; and when broken, the surface of the fracture 
should be of a bright bluish-gray color, of close-grained 
texture, and uniform, except that the portion near the 
surface may be somewhat brighter, and the grain closer. 
A mottled appearance upon the face of the fracture is 
an indication of a poor casting, that will be deficient 
in strength from the lack of uniformity of the iron. 

In designing patterns for castings, great care and 
judgment should be exercised in giving each part, as 



QUALITY AND STRENGTH OF CASTINGS. 73 

near as possible, an equal distribution of iron. There 
should be no abrupt variations in the thickness ; for if 
one part is thinner than another in the same piece, and 
cools before the other, the shrinkage of the thinner 
part will have a tendency to draw the heavier part, that 
may still be in a semi-liquid state, out of its place, and 
the casting will either be distorted, or the thinner por- 
tion separated from it. A pulley, for instance, with 
light arms and a very heavy rim and hub, will be very 
likely to separate from the arms in cooling, or draw the 
rim out of a true circle opposite to each arm; and if 
not entirely separated, there will be so much strain 
upon them that the slightest blow will cause them to 
separate from the rim or hub. And whenever this hap- 
pens, there will always be an open space between the 
two surfaces of- the fracture. This may be avoided by 
artificial cooling of the hub, or by making the arms 
curved, so that the strain by unequal shrinkage will 
only straighten the arm somewhat, instead of tearing 
them asunder. 

Whenever it becomes necessary to construct patterns 
with a thick and thin portion in close proximity to 
each other, it is better, if the nature of the work will 
admit, to give to one portion or the other a slight 
curve. The frames for machinery that are cast in one 
piece with the various sections joined together should 
have all the lighter portions connected with it made, if 
possible, in curves ; otherwise, some portions will be 
either warped or the lighter portions parted from the 
heavier by unequal shrinkage. 

It frequently becomes necessary to construct patterns 
for machinery of such shape that, if the pattern itself 



74 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MJLL. 

was the exact counterpart of the casting required, it 
could not be withdrawn from the sand. In this case, 
resort must be had to cores. The pattern-maker at- 
taches a plain block to the pattern, to indicate to the 
moulder the exact spot where the core is to be set. 
He then constructs a core-box of a shape to meet the 
requirements of the casting. In this box the moulder 
makes his core, which is composed of coarse sand, 
mixed with flour or some other substance, such as 
molasses or sour beer, which is added in order to 
give it sufficient strength after being dried in the 
oven to handle without danger from crumbling. This 
core is then placed in the mould in the exact posi- 
tion indicated by the block or print, so that, when the 
iron runs around, it forms the shape required in the 
casting. 

Carelessness in setting cores, on the part of the 
moulder, is another one of the troubles which the ma- 
chinist has to contend with. If a hub is to be bored 
to a certain size, and the pattern-maker has made 
ample allowance for that purpose, if the moulder is 
careless in setting the core, so that it is not central 
with the hub, the machinist often finds it a difficult 
matter to bore it out to the size indicated on his draw- 
ings. 

All these mistakes — which should be avoided — enter 
into and add to the net cost of the machine, which falls, 
in most cases, upon the proprietors ; and if every em- 
ployee would consult the interests of his employer, 
much needless expense might be avoided. ' 

As many of the castings used in planing-mill machi- 
nery require to be made with cores, the hints given in the 



CARE IN MOULDING. 75 

foregoing pages on this subject, as well as castings gener- 
ally, are applicable to this class of work ; for probably 
there is no class of machinery that is subjected to 
greater strain and the same wear and tear as that. 
When we speak of planing-mill machinery, we include 
all that class of machines used for wood-working ; as the 
conditions under which they all work are substantially 
the same. 

The planing-machine, being the largest and heaviest 
machine in the outfit, and required to perform the 
heaviest work, should be made of sufficient weight and 
possess strength in all its parts in proportion to the 
labor which each part has to perform. The frame, 
which is now made of iron by all first-class manufac- 
turers, should be strong and of sufficient weight to give 
it solidity and support the working-parts without any 
vibration ; but the most important parts of a first-class 
planing-machine are those parts which perform the 
work. There is no economy in putting a large amount 
of superfluous iron in the frame, and making the other 
parts light— especially those which perform the most 
work and are often subjected to the greatest strain. 

A machine of this kind may weigh sixty-five or sev- 
enty hundred pounds, and yet not be any stronger or 
able to perform as much heavy work as one that might 
weigh five or ten hundred pounds less. Such a ma- 
chine, while having much less iron in the frame, may 
have in its working parts one third more strength. 

The correct principle in the construction of planing- 
mill machinery is to so apportion the several parts as 
to get the greatest amount of strength from a given 
amount of material. 



76 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

The custom of purchasers inquiring of the manufac- 
turers the weight of their machines, and then compar- 
ing their prices with the gross weight, is a bad one, and 
often leads to disappointment and unsatisfactory re- 
sults. This practice has led some makers to put an 
unnecessary amonnt of iron in their frames, so as to 
give the impression that, because their machines are 
heavy, they possess superior qualities over another, who 
may claim less weight ; when the real facts in the case 
are, the lighter machines may be much the strongest 
and durable. 

The cost of a planing-machine is not all in the frame ; 
and a few hundred pounds of iron either way makes 
but little difference. The working-parts is where the 
cost comes in, and the heavier they are and the more 
accurately they are fitted up, the more they cost 
whether the frame is heavy or light. 

The feed-works, next to the cylinder and side-cut- 
ters, is the most important part of the machine, and 
one that is in many machines very deficient. How 
often do we find planing-machines with the cylinder 
and side-cutters fitted up in good shape and capable of 
performing good, fair work, but spoiled by having only 
one pair of feed-rolls, three or four inches in diameter, — 
and the top one fluted at that, — and held down by rub- 
ber springs or some other worthless device, with 
scarcely power enough to surface a three-eighth panel. 
Yet such machines are expected to carry a two-inch 
plank two feet wide through the machine, and take off 
a heavy cut ; and, if the feed will not do it, it is expected 
that the operator will make up the deficiency with his 
abdomen. We have a poor opinion of that style of 



FRAMES FOR MACHINES, ETC. 7/ 

machine. Yet many will purchase them because they 
are cheap ; but the fact is, such machines are dearest in 
the end. 

A planing-machine, to give a good and reliable feed, 
should have not less than three pair of feed-rolls, from 
six to eight inches in diameter, and connected by some 
good system of expansion-gears, and weighted so as to 
give a uniform pressure whether the lumber be thick 
or thin. Two pair should be placed in front of the cyl- 
inder, as more friction surface is required to feed the 
lumber in than to feed it out ; especially when the lum- 
ber is damp and frosty. But after it has passed under 
the cylinder, and one side is planned, one pair of feed- 
rolls, if properly weighted, is amply sufficient to carry 
it out.. 

We abominate fluted rolls, and they never should be 
used on a machine that is expected to do good, smooth 
work. Smooth rolls, if of proper size and sufficiently 
weighted, will always give a reliable feed, and one 
strong enough to carry anything through the machine 
that is fit to" go through it. While fluted rolls with the 
same pressure may give a stronger feed, the trouble 
with them is that, if the lumber is soft or damp, the 
projecting points of a fluted roll press into the lumber, 
bending the grain to a depth just in proportion to the 
weight that, is brought to bear upon it, and, before those 
indentations have time to come back again to the sur- 
face, it is planed over, leaving the grain in that position ; 
and, in a fev/ days, or sometimes in a few hours, when 
exposed to the air, rises again to its former position, 
and shows upon the surface a series of corrugations 
corresponding to each flut^ in the roller. 



78 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

For this reason, no machine, no matter how perfect 
it may be in all its other parts, can do smooth work 
under these conditions. 

The cylinder should be large enough in diameter to 
give a fair width of knife and clear the bolt-heads, with- 
out having too much scrape. Manufacturers within 
the last thirty years have gone from one extreme to 
another in the size of their cylinders. The old Les- 
ter machines, that were in use thirty years ago, are no 
doubt well remembered by some of the old planing- 
mill men. The cylinders were of gun-metal, in some 
cases as large as fourteen inches in diameter, and were 
skeleton-shaped, or what was then known as the " open 
cylinder," usually having three knives hung inside of 
the wings, and fastened by counter-sunk headed bolts, 
with nuts screwed upon the face of the knife. 

These old-timers required an immense power to run 
them, and, at a feed of about thirty to forty lineal feet 
per niinute, they turned out very good work ; but the 
music of those old machines could be heard for a mile 
around. 

The solid iron cylinder was afterwards introduced, 
and came into general use, not only on account of its 
being cheaper, but it proved to be much better, and 
could be made smaller in diameter, and run with much 
less power and greater speed. Some manufacturers 
went to the other extreme, by making their cylinders 
just as much too small as the old ones were too large, 
and just as much out of proportion. 



CONSTRUCTION OP WOOD-WORKING TOOLS. 79 



CHAPTER X. 

CARE REQUIRED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WOOD- 
WORKING TOOLS— BEST PROPORTION FOR THE 
CYLINDER— RELATIVE LENGTH AND SIZE OF 
JOURNALS— CAST-STEEL CYLINDERS— THE BEST 
PRACTICAL METHOD OF FITTING THEM UP, ETC. 

There is no piece of machinery pertaining to the 
business of wood-working that requires more care in 
its construction than the planing and matching ma- 
chine. The speed is so rapid with the principal work- 
ing-parts that any Httle imperfection will soon manifest 
itself. A steam-engine, or almost any other slow-run- 
ning machine, may have slight imperfections, which may 
not manifest themselves for months after they have 
been put in use ; but let one of the journals of a plan- 
ing-machine cylinder not be perfectly round or be slightly 
sprung or a pulley or cutter head not in perfect balance, 
and you will find it out in less than ten minutes after 
the machine is started. 

Again, wood-working tools — especially the planing- 
machine — do not always go into the hands of experi- 
enced mechanics. An iron-turning lathe, planer, or 
upright drilling-machine, when put up in the machine- 
shop, goes into the hands of a competent machinist — 
one who is not only competent to put it up and run it, 
but, in most cases, with the suitable tools and patterns 
for that purpose, able to construct it and put it to- 
gether ; and if there should happen to be a slight im- 



8o HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

perfection in the work which has escaped the notice of 
the workmen at the factory where it was fitted up, he 
will quickly discover the cause and correct it. 

But not so with a large majority of the planing-ma- 
chines that are sent out from the different manufac- 
tories. A few, it is true, go into the hands of men who 
thoroughly understand their business ; and if a machine 
is properly put up and adjusted at the factory, there 
never will be any trouble in putting it in successful 
operation. But a large portion of the planers which 
are sent out from the different manufacturers go into 
the hands of inexperienced operators, who are not prac- 
tical mechanics, and whose experience with machinery 
is very limited. And as a general rule the machine is 
belted up, and started just as it came from the factory ; 
and if everything happens to be in perfect adjustment, 
and is level and out of wind, it may go off all right. 
But if there should be any little imperfection in the 
fitting or adjustment, it is not usually discovered until 
something begins to smoke, and then perhaps the dif^- 
culty, whatever it may be, is not remedied until the 
machine is seriously damaged. 

The rapid motion of a planer is such that, in order to 
avoid vibration, it requires that the frame be not only 
solid, but well put together. And here is a point where 
the skill and judgment of the designer are brought into 
requisition. It is not always the case that the frame 
having the greatest number of pounds of metal is the 
strongest and most efficient in resisting vibrations. 
Frames are frequently met with, the plates of which 
may be an inch thick, surrounded by a flat moulding. 
Such frames, although they contain an abundance of 



BEST PROPORTION FOR THE CYLINDER. 8 1 

metal, are not well calculated to resist lateral vibra- 
tion ; for it must be understood that, with a combined 
planer and matcher, the tendency for vibrating sidewise 
is as great as perpendicular. Therefore, if the same 
frame, instead of its plate being one inch thick, it were 
just one half of that thickness, and the other half were put 
into wide, heavy ribs, with the same quantity of metal, 
doublethe strength to resist vibrations wouldbe obtained. 

The double plate frame which has recently been 
adopted by many first-class firms, if properly propor- 
tioned, and the plates far enough apart to give suffi- 
cient depth, is probably one of the strongest frames that 
can be made from the same amount of metal. But to 
answer well the purpose designed, the space between 
the plates, for heavy machines, should not be less than 
two inches. 

The plates in this style of frame may be quite thin, 
and yet very strong and substantial. Whatever style 
of frame may be adopted, it should be put together 
with planed joints ; and the top, wherever any of the 
works are attached, should be planed square and 
straight and lengthwise, so that when it is set up and 
bolted together the top of both sides of the frame 
will be square and parallel with each other. Then 
the whole frame should be levelled up both crosswise 
and lengthwise before any of the other parts are at- 
tached ; and when thus set up, it should never be 
moved or changed until the machine is completed. 
The bed-plate for the top cylinder should next be put 
on and bolted to the frame ; and if it has been carefully 
and accurately planed, it should agree with the frame 
and be perfectly level both ways. The back shaft 



82 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

should then be fitted into its boxes by the same level, 
and squared from a line previously drawn through the 
bed and square with the frame. From these two points 
all other parts of the machine should be put up and 
squared and levelled. 

The advantages of erecting a machine in this man- 
ner, and always working from these two points, are 
that if every part is thus put up with reference to these 
two points, when the machine is finished and shipped 
to its destination and set up, if carefully levelled from 
these two points, every other part of the machine will 
be true and out of wind. Frequent cases have occurred 
where machines have been set up without reference to 
these two points, but levelled anywhere on the frame, 
that have given a great deal of trouble by heating the rol- 
ler-boxes, binding so as to cut and. get stuck fast, and 
many other troubles, before the real cause was discov- 
ered, and the manufacturer it often blamed for the ignor- 
ance of the operator ; whereas, if proper instructions 
had been given, and those instructions carried out, the 
machine would have started off all right in the first 
instance. 

In all modern machines the bearings are all much 
longer than formerly. The cylinder-boxes, instead of 
from four to six inches, are now made from ten to 
twelve inches long ; and when bearings of that length 
are babbited and scraped down to a perfect fit and suf- 
ficient packing put between the box and cap, the caps 
may be screwed down tight, and yet the cylinder will 
be perfectly free to revolve. But just raise one foot of 
the frame sufficient to put a piece of thin pasteboard 
under it, and it will cause the cylinder-boxes to so bind 



RELATIVE LENGTH AND SIZE OF JOURNALS. 83 

that it will be impossible to turn it with the hand with- 
out loosening up the caps and adding nnore packing. 
And if the machine were run in that condition, it will be 
found that the shaft does not bear upon the whole sur- 
face of the box, but only upon a small portion of it ; 
and the consequence is, it will heat, and continue to 
heat, until it wears down again to a perfect bearing. 

This accounts for the tendency of all new machines 
to heat when first started. It is almost impossible to 
place the machine exactly in the same position that it 
was when first set up in the shop ; but if especial care 
is manifested in levelling across the bed-plate and 
through the boxes of the back shaft, that point may be 
found so near that a machine will frequently start up 
without any inconvenience from heating. 

For a planer weighing 8000 pounds the frame should 
not be less than from 11 to 12 feet long over all. The 
cylinder should not be less than 7 inches in diameter 
at the extreme points ; it should be four-sided, and pro- 
vided with slots planed on all four sides, and of suffi- 
cient width and depth to admit of af bolt, with a head 
ij inches square and f thick, for holding the knives. 
The thickness of metal from the face of the cylinder to 
the slot should be -f^ inch. The reason for making 
this part thicker than the head of the bolt, is that in 
case of accident, when something must break, it is bet- 
ter for the bolt-head to give way than to tear a piece 
out of the face of the cylinder, as is sometimes the 
case when the greatest strength was in the bolt-head. 

The cylinder being the most important part of the 
machine, and as the forged cast-steel cylinder has now 
come into general use, the hints given for the fitting up 
of cylinders are applicable to that style. 



84 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

The first step preparatory to fitting up a forged cast- 
steel cylinder, should be to carefully centre the ends 
which project from it and form the shaft and jour- 
nals. After the proper centre is found, and marked 
with the center-punch, a fine drill should be run in at 
least one fourth of an inch, so as to prevent the ex- 
treme point of the lathe-centre from coming in contact 
with the steel during the process of turning ; other- 
wise, as the centre in the shaft wears away during this 
process if allowed to bear upon the extreme point, it 
would be very apt to work to one side or the other of 
the true centre and cause the work to run out before it 
was finished. Besides, the small hole forms a recep- 
tacle for oil, and prevents it from cutting the centre. 

When the centres are properly prepared, the work 
should be put in the lathe and tested. If found suffi- 
ciently true, and there is surplus stock enough to work 
to the standard size, it is better to fit it up just as it 
came from the forge ; but if not sufficiently true and 
the shaft requires to be sprung, never attempt to bend 
it cold, for two reasons : One is that they are liable to 
snap off, and the cylinder be spoiled ; another is that a 
cast-steel shaft bent cold is very liable to go back again 
after being finished, especially should it ever become 
heated when running. Therefore, the safest way, if the 
shaft must be sprung before turning, is to heat it care- 
fully and uniformly at the forge until it shows a dull 
red heat, and spring it in a press for that purpose. If 
there is no press at hand, it may be put in the lathe on 
its centres, and, by the use of a bar over the rest, may 
be sprung in that manner. 

When the straightening is completed, never lay it on 
the ground to cool. Place it upon something in some 



CAST-STEEL CYLINDERS. 85 

convenient place so that the air may have free access 
to it on all sides. Otherwise, if placed so that one side 
cools faster than the other, that side will in all proba- 
bility be harder than the other, and every experienced 
operator of planing-mills knows that, unless the journals 
of a planing-machine cylinder are perfectly round, they 
will not run without heating ; and when one side of a 
journal is harder than the other, it is impossible to keep 
them round. If the machinist succeeds in making 
them round in the first place, it will only be a question 
of a very short time when they will not be so. When 
the cylinder is sufficiently cool to work a cut should be 
taken over every part of the surface ; then, if there 
should be any imperfections or any part disposed to 
spring, these defects should be discovered before pro- 
ceeding to finish it. 

The journals, or that part of the shaft which forms 
them, should be left large enough to admit of another 
turning in order to finish it after the planing is com- 
pleted. When ready for the planer, it should be put 
upon its centres, and, by means of templets, every part 
should be reduced to the same uniform size and shape, 
in order to secure a correct running-balance when fin- 
ished. When taken back to the lathe after the planing 
is cpmpleted, the points should be carefully tested with 
a tool to ascertain whether any part has become sprung 
during this process. If so, never attempt to spring it 
back, but, with a pointed scraper, scrape out from the 
opposite side of the centre so as to draw it sufiiciently 
to cause every point of the cylinder to touch the tool 
alike when it is turned carefully around with the hand. 

Now, with a sharp, well-tempered tool, the bearings 



86 HISTORY OF THE PLANING- MILL. 

may be turned for the pulleys, and lastly, by a series of 
light, fine cuts, the journals may be finished to the 
standard size. If the last cut is very light, and the 
point of the tool the proper shape, it may be finished 
without the use of a file ; for the least filing that is done, 
the better. But if a file must be used, it should be a 
very fine one, and used lightly. 

When the finishing is completed, it is ready to bal- 
ance. The balancing-bars should consist of two pieces 
of steel not over one sixteenth of an inch thick on the 
edge, and perfectly straight, set into cast-iron blocks, 
with adjusting-screws attached to the foot of each, so 
"that, when placed upon a planer bed or other suitable 
platen, they may be adjusted to a perfect level ; so 
that, when the cylinder is placed upon them, the least 
variation in weight may cause it to roll. 

A cylinder or any other body when so placed upon 
its journals or a mandrel, if in perfect balance will re- 
main at rest in any position it may be placed. If found 
in perfect balance after being tested upon the bars, it is 
supposed to be finished ; but if not, then it should be 
placed upon the planer, and a small amount taken off 
from the heavy side to correct it. But in all cases, 
whatever is taken off should be from the whole length 
and upon the centres. 

The practice of drilling holes upon the heavy side is 
abominable, and should never be tolerated. Each bolt 
and nut should be tested upon a pair of sensitive bal- 
ancing-scales (which every shop should possess), so that 
each may be of the same weight, and also that if by any 
means they should become changed, the balance of the 
cylinder may not be affected by it. The cylinder pulleys 



CAST- STEEL CYLINDERS. 87 

should be turned on the inside as well as the outside, 
and each carefully balanced afterwards separately ; for 
if either of them should not be in balance, it will affect 
the working of the machine just as much as if the cyl- 
inder itself was out of balance. 

Lastly, the knives should be examined and tested. 
Although each knife composing a set is supposed to be 
balanced at the factory where they are manufactured, 
yet it is difficult to find a set that is sufficiently per- 
fect to send out with a high-speedecf machine without 
rebalancing. 

This is one of the most difficult operations to con- 
tend with unless a machine expressly designed for that 
purpose is at hand. A set of knives may each show 
the same weight when placed upon opposite sides of 
the scales, and still be far from a perfect balance when 
attached to the cylinder, and run. This is caused by 
the grinder not being particular enough in preserving 
a uniform thickness from one end to the other, or in 
punching the slots not uniform in depth. 

Now, if any two knives in a set should happen to 
have the same defect on opposite ends, while they 
might show the same weight on the balancing scales, 
the difference in weight on the opposite ends would 
make music that would be anything but harmonious to 
the ears of a careful operator. 

In the absence of an instrument for this purpose, the 
best way to test this fault and correct it is with a sin-' 
gle bar. An old knife set in a block of wood answers 
the purpose very well. Then, with a sharp scratch, draw 
a line across the back of the knife exactly in the centre, 
making it deep enough so that it will not sHp off when 



88 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

jaid across it ; then lay the knife across the bar in the 
manner just described, when any imperfections in this 
respect may be discovered and remedied by grinding 
off from the back towards the heavy end. Some de- 
pend upon the caHpers for testing the width and thick- 
ness ; but if a knife has the defects just described, the 
calipers will not correct it. 

It may be said that all this care takes time and 
money, and adds to the expense of the machine. The 
answer is that, if you intend to send out a perfect-run- 
ning machine, and one that will give satisfaction and 
keep up your reputation, you must expect to spend 
time and money ; and if your customers are not willing 
to pay a fair price that will warrant a good machine, it 
is better to let them go to some firm that makes a 
specialty of cheap work, and suffer the consequences. 



SPEEDING WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY. 89 



CHAPTER XL 

SPEEDING WOOD-WORKING MACHINERY — VARIA- 
TION OF SPEED IN DIFFERENT MILIS— CENTRIF- 
UGAL FORCE— TENSILE STRENGTH OF BOLTS- 
PULLEYS, ETC. 

Much has been written by practical men upon the 
subject of speed. Cylinders, cutter- heads, steps, 
boxes, etc., have all been pretty well overhauled ; but 
after all, little has been said upon the subject of the 
proper speed that should be given them. This subject, 
as Jack Easy would say, will admit of argument. 

Proper speed for all wood-working machinery is of 
vital importance both to the owner and the operator. 
It is important to the owner, because machines speeded 
in a proper manner are enabled to turn out the great- 
est quantity of first-class work in a given time without 
unnecessary wear and tear. There is no profit in forc- 
ing a machine to earn seventy-five cents more in a day 
by overspeeding it if the spoiled work and extra cost 
for repairs amount to ninety. It is also important to 
the operator to know whether the speed at which his 
machine is running is beyond the margin of safety, and 
whether his own life is not constantly in jeopardy in 
consequence. Again, if a machine is speeded below 
the average, a sufificient quantity of good work cannot 
be turned out in a given time to make it profitable; 



90 HISTORY OF THE FLANING-MILL. 

and in many cases the operator is unjustly blamed in 
consequence. 

It would astonish any one to put a speed-indicator in 
his vest pocket, and visit a few planing-mills located in 
different parts of the country, and note the difference 
in speed among the same class of machines. He would 
find in about six cases out of ten that the proprietor or 
his foreman could not tell just what speed their ma- 
chines were running. 

Speed, like everything also, is based upon certain 
principles and governed by general laws, no matter 
whether it be the cylinder of a planing or moulding 
machine, a circular saw, or a pulley. There is always a 
point which it is neither safe or profitable to go be- 
yond. One man may for a time get twice the amount 
of work out of a machine that his neighbor does ; but 
if he does it at a large expenditure of wear and tear, he 
will find in a short time that his machine is used up and 
incapable of doing good work, while his neighbor's is 
practically as good as ever. 

Now, the only question involved is : Did the first 
man get enough extra earnings besides repairs in that 
time out of his machine to enable him to purchase an- 
other as good ? If not, then he is a loser by the trans- 
action. 

We are well aware of the fact that machines that are 
kept in first-class order, with every part in perfect bal- 
ance, will stand more speed than those which are not ; 
but as every machine, if run at all, should be kept in 
order, it is not necessary to discuss the speed of those 
which are not. 

If asked for an opinion as to the best speed at which 



VARIATION OF SPEED IN DIFFERENT MILES. QI 

a planing-machlne cylinder should be run that was not 
in balance I should reply : Do not run it at all— at least 
until it is balanced. 

There is a question of safety involved with all fast- 
running machinery, as well as profit, to be taken into 
consideration. No one has the right, either legally or 
morally, to cause his machinery to be run at a speed 
that will endanger the lives of his employees, for the 
sake of extra profit. Implicit reliance cannot be placed 
in the circulars which are sent out by different manu- 
facturers, as far as speed is concerned. One manufac- 
turer will say that the best and most economical speed 
for the cylinders of his machine is 3600 revolutions per 
minute ; another will give 4000 ; while another will put 
it at 4500 ; while still another will say that his machine, 
" owing to its extra strength, etc., will run 5000 revolu- 
tions per minute with perfect safety," and he will guar- 
antee it to do first-class work at that speed. 

Now, from personal knowledge of each machine, 
there is no perceptible difference, so far as the cylinders 
are concerned. They are all about the same diameter, 
and the shafts and boxes about the same size, and fitted 
up in the same manner ; and each have the same 
strength, and one runs as smooth as the other, and 
there is no good reason why one will not stand as much 
speed as the other. 

If 3600 revolutions per minute is the best and most 
profitable speed for one, 5000 revolutions is altogether 
too much for the other. The only true way to decide 
this question is to reduce it to plain figures, which "do 
not lie," and then let the candid judgment of those 
who are in favor of '' lightning " machines decide 



h 



92 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

whether there is safety or profit in being governed by 
the circulars of those manufacturers, put forth in that 
shape for the sole purpose of selling their machines, 
and who, as long as they can make a sale, and their own 
lives are not jeopardized, give no further thought of 
the consequences that might follow. 

It is a well-known fact that all bodies revolving 
around a common fixed centre have a tendency to fly 
off in a line tangent to that centre, and that force in- 
creases in proportion as the square of the velocity. 
Hence, in all bodies of equal weight, moving in equal 
circles and at a uniform velocity, the centrifugal force 
is the same. But all bodies of equal weight in equal 
circles, but moving with unequal velocities, are inversely 
to each other as the square of their velocities. 

In calculating the centrifugal force of a revolving 
body, the diameter should be taken at the centre of 
gravity. This is a line through which, if the body were 
divided upon that line, each part would be of equal 
weight. With pulleys, fly-wheels, and other regular- 
shaped bodies of that kind, the centre of gravity usually 
lies near the outward surface, and is more readily de- 
termined than irregular-shaped bodies — such as planing- 
cylinders and side cutter-heads, etc. 

To find the centrifugal force of a revolving body, the 
following rule is applicable : Multiply the square of the 
velocity in feet per second by the weight, and divide 
this product by 32 times the radius in feet at the centre 
of gravity. This quotient will give the centrifugal force 
in pounds. Now examine this cylinder, which is 7 inches 
in diameter, and said to be safe at 5000 revolutions per 
minute. As the knife is the only weight which will be 



CENTRIFUGAL FORCE. 93 

considered at this time, and is carried upon the outside, 
it is safe to say that the centre of gravity Hes not far 
from a point taken from the under side of the knife, 
which would be a circle of 7 inches diamater, or a radius 
of 3|- inches. 

Assume the weight of a 24-inch knife to be 8 
pounds. Then, 5000 revolutions would be equal to 
152.75 per second, the square of which is equal to 
23,332.5; then 23,332.5 X 8 == 186,660.48 -^ 9i(the pro- 
duct of 32 times the radius in feet) = 19,999.31 pounds 
for the centrifugal strain. As nearly all knives, and 
this one in particular, are fastened to the cylinder by 6 
bolts f of an inch in diameter, each bolt would be re- 
quired to withstand one sixth of the strain, which would 
be equal to 3333.21 pounds. 

The tensile strength of the best Norway iron is 80,000 
pounds to the square inch, and a bolt f inch in 
diameter at the bottom of the thread has a sectional 
area of .24 square inch, the breaking strain of which 
would be 19,200 pounds ; so that if there was 
nothing but centrifugal strain to contend with, there 
would be no danger at that speed. But the screwing 
of them down is an important factor, to be taken 
into consideration ; and here is where the greatest 
danger lies, especially in the hands of a careless or in- 
experienced operator. It is quite common to find 
wrenches used for this purpose with a handle 12 inches 
long, and sometimes more. 

Let us consider the effect that this long-handled 
instrument may have upon the tensile strength of the 
bolt. The average bolt, as we said before, is five- 
eighths of an inch in diameter, with a lead of 12 threads 



94 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

to the inch. Therefore, to move the bolt forward yV 
inch, it must make one complete revolution, and the 
handle of the wrench would move through a space of 75 
inches ; and, by the rule for calculating the power of a 
screw, the proportion would be as -^^ to 75. And if 
the operator exerted a strain, upon the extreme end 
of the handle, of 25 pounds, then the proportion 
would be thus: J^ : 75 :: 25 : 22,500 pounds. Now, 
add to this the 3333-21 pounds of centrifugal 
force, and the result is 3333.21 -]- 22,500 = 25,833.21 
pounds. 

Now, by comparing this with the tensile strength of 
the bolt (19,200 pounds), the result is 6633.21 pounds 
beyond the tensile strength of the bolt. But friction, 
which is generally considered as the enemy of 
all mechanical movements, here comes in as a friendly 
element. The friction upon two similar surfaces within 
the point of abrasion is .25 of the weight which is 
pressing them together up to that point. As soon as 
the. point of abrasion is reached, it increases to from 
.40 to .50 and upwards ; and as the marks on the back 
of the knives immediately under the bolt-heads plainly 
show that, every time they are screwed down, the point 
of abrasion is reached, the frictional resistance offered 
to this long-handled instrument is at least .40 of its 
power. 

Assuming this to be the case, the tensile strain upon 
the bolt would be reduced from 22,500 pounds to 
13^500, which, with the original centrifugal strain of 
3333.21 pounds added, the result would be 16,833.21 
pounds. This deducted from 19,200 pounds, the ulti- 
mate strength of the bolt, would leave a margin of 



TENSILE STRENGTH OF BOLTS. 95 

safety of only 2367 pounds, which is much too small 
to meet all contingencies. And is it any wonder that 
bolts break and knives fly off on those fast-running 
machines ? 

The strain upon the cylinder-bolts and the liability 
of the knives flying off in over-speeded machines is not 
the only element of danger. Over-speeded pulleys are 
just as liable to fly to pieces, and do damage to the 
machine, as well as the operator. It is not practical 
to use pulleys on the cylinder shaft of less diameter 
than 4^ inches, as smaller ones soon destroy the belts 
and are deficient in friction surface. Neither is it 
practical or convenient, as the planing-machine is 
usually constructed, to use pulleys on the back-shaft 
of a greater diameter than 20 inches ; otherwise, the 
back-shaft would be too high to allow the matcher- 
belts to run in their proper place. 

Now, suppose the pulleys on the back-shaft to be 20 
inches in diameter and 4J- inches wide on the face : 
which would be the right proportion for this purpose, 
with the average thickness of the rim f of an inch? 
This pulley, in order to drive the cylinder 5000 revolu- 
tions per minute, would require a speed of 1125 revolu- 
tions per minute. Allowing the weight of the rim to 
be 30 pounds (the weight of the arms and hub not 
taken into consideration ), which is about the average 
for pulleys of this size, the centrifugal strain, by the 
rules already given would be as follows : The circum- 
ference in feet (5.2375) multiphed by the speed (i 125 
revolutions), and divided by 60, equals 98.202, the speed 
in feet per second. The square of this number, multi- 
plied by the weight and divided by 32 times the radius 



9^ HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

in feet, equals the centrifugal strain ; which will be found 
to equal 10851.79 pounds. The rim of this pulley 
contains a sectional area of about one square inch, and 
the tensile strength of the best samples of cast-iron, as 
determined by Major Wade, of the United States 
Ordnance Department, is from 15000 to 16000 pounds 
to the square inch. 

It will be remembered, however, that those tests were 
made upon the basis of cast-iron bars one inch square, 
and from the best samples, perfectly sound and free 
from dirt or air-holes ; and it is a question whether the 
average castings obtained from the foundry from day 
to day will come anywhere near to this standard of 
strength. But suppose every pulley was perfect and 
the iron up to the standard of strength : there is, then, 
only a margin of safety of 3810.40 pounds, which is far 
below the standard of safety ; for no piece of machinery 
in constant use and submitted to the same constant 
strain from day to day should be taxed over one half of 
its ultimate strength. Again, the shape of the material 
and the manner in which the strain is appHed has much 
to do with it. If the pulley rim, instead of being a flat 
piece A,\ inches wide and f inch thick, were put in the 
shape of a square bar, which would be about one inch 
square, it is reasonable to suppose that it would stand 
a much greater strain than in its present form, and 
in the manner in which the strain is applied. 

The same rule may be appHed to this which is ap- 
pHed to beams and girders ; and it is unnecessary to 
state what every one knows — that a cast-iron beam 
4-|- inches wide and f inch thick will sustain more 
than four times the load when placed edgewise, that it 



PULLEYS, ETC. 97 

would if placed flatwise. And there is but one conclu- 
sion that we can arrive at ; and that is, that pulleys of 
the dimension given are not safe at such high speed. 

Aside from the question of safety, there is also a 
question of economy involved that is worthy of con- 
sideration. 



98 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER XII. 

IMPORTANCE OF CARE IN PUTTING UP AND AD- 
JUSTING NEW MACHINES— THE NECESSITY 
OF EMPLOYING COMPETENT MEN— MISTAKES 
OFTEN MADE IN SPEED — ANECDOTE — ANNOY- 
ANCE FROM BAD BELTS— MATCHER-BELTS RE- 
QUIRE EXTRA CARE, ETC. 

In a former chapter on the construction of ma- 
chinery as applied to this class of work, the opinions 
expressed are the result of over thirty years of practi- 
cal experience in the manufacture and use of planing- 
mill machinery. 

What we have said of the planing-machine is equally 
applicable to the moulding-machine, tennoning-mia- 
chine, sticker, and all other machines used in wood- 
working. They are all constructed substantially upon 
the same principle, and may be considered under one 
head. 

No matter how well and perfect a machine may be 
constructed, if it is not kept in working order, good 
work cannot be expected from it. It depends a great 
deal upon the manner in which a machine is set up. 
Placmg a machine in a mill, and belting it up, is not all 
there is of it. There are certain points about every 
machine to level from, so as to take the working-parts 
out of wind. These points should be ascertained and 
worked from until every part is free to work, before 



PUTTING UP AND ADJUSTING NEW MACHINES. 99 

the belts are put on. Many good machines have got a 
bad name on the start by not being properly set up 
and adjusted. To a certain extent, the manufacturers 
themselves are to blame. Whenever a machine is sold, 
the manufacturer should insist upon having a good 
competent man on hand to attend to the putting up 
and starting. Unless the purchaser has a man of ex- 
perience and ability already in his employ, the manu- 
facturer should send a man from the works even if he 
is obliged to do it at his own expense. 

When a machine, thus started up by a competant 
man, starts off all right and performs its work in a 
satisfactory manner for two or three days, there is no 
reason why it should not continue to do so as long as it 
is kept in good running order. The reputation of a 
machine may thus be established so that, if by subse- 
quent neglect the machine does bad work, the manu- 
facturer cannot be held responsible for it. 

Competition at the present time is injurious to both 
the manufacturer and user. In their anxiety to sell, 
they seem to care but little whose hand it goes into 
on the start, as long as they can succeed in making 
a sale, and seldom take the trouble even to inquire 
whether the purchaser is a practical man himself, or 
whether he has a man who is. And the result is that 
many good machines have been condemned and given 
a bad reputation through the ignorance and incompe- 
tancy of the operator ; when, if the manufacturer had 
ascertained these facts beforehand, and insisted upon 
sending a competant man to take charge of it for a few 
days, everything would have gone off all right and sat- 
isfactorily, and the future operator would have received 



100 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

valuable information, which would have been of use to 
him for the future management of it. If the purchas- 
er is not in possession of a competent man for this 
purpose, he should be liberal enough to pay at least 
the expense of a man from the works to give the nec- 
essary instructions ; for in nine cases out of ten, the 
delay in starting the mill, and the lumber wasted before 
the inexperienced operator succeeds in getting the ma- 
chine in working order, will more than pay those 
expenses — to say nothing about the liability of accidents 
or damage to the machine. 

It is often the case that the foreman of the mill may 
be a man of unquestionable experience and ability; yet 
his whole experience has been limited to some one par- 
ticular style of machine, and, it might be said truly, that 
what he did not know about that particular make of 
machine was not worth knowing. But give him a new 
machine of some other manufacture, and it will require 
several days for him to become acquainted with all of 
its peculiarities. Whereas, a man from the factory, 
who is accustomed to sitting up and testing those ma- 
chines, would explain to him in a few hours all of those 
peculiarities. 

But it is often the case, especially where a new mill 
is started, that, while the proprietors may be first-class 
lumbermen, but with no practical knowledge of ma- 
chinery, the man who is engaged to take charge of it 
may be a competent man or he may not. The machinery 
is purchased and put in the mill, and the manufacturer 
must take his chances whether his machine will have a 
fair chance on the start or not ; or whether he will not 
be compelled in the end to send a man to straighten 



NECESSITY OF EMPLOYING COMPETENT MEN. lOI 

things out before he can get a settlement for them — 
not only to put the machine in working order, but per- 
haps repair damages which it might have sustained 
through ignorance on the part of the operator, which 
might have been avoided had a competent man been 
sent in the first instance. 

There is another thing that manufacturers, as a class, 
are not particular enough about ; and that is the speed 
at which their machines are run. It makes consid- 
erable difference, both in quantity and quality of the 
work, whether the cylinders are run 3000, 3500, of 4000 
revolutions per minute. The purchaser is informed 
that the cylinder should run perhaps 3600 ; and in 
order to do so, the speed of the back-shaft must be 
900. He goes home and consults with some genius 
who is a carpenter, blacksmith, machinist, and mill- 
wright, all combined. He finds the line-shaft will run 
about so and so, and that a pulley of about such a size 
will be about right. A pulley is obtained about the 
size referred to ; in his opinion an inch or two either 
way will not make much difference and is near enough. 
Finally, the machine is started up ; it may run 3000, or 
it may run 4000, and perhaps more or less. However 
it hums and makes considerable noise, and they finally 
agree that the speed is about right ; but the work, as 
far as quantity is concerned, is not satisfactory. The 
machine is not turning out the quantity of work that 
it was guaranteed to do ; and the manufacturer is either 
obliged to go himself or send a man to find out what 
the trouble is, and correct it before a satisfactory set- 
tlement can be obtained. 

This is no fancy sketch. A case of this kind oncQ 



102 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

came under the observation of the writer. A machine 
was sold in a neighboring city. The machine was war- 
ranted to plane and match fifty lineal feet per minute, 
and do first-class work, with a cylinder speed of 3600 
revolutions per minute. I suggested that a man from 
the works should be sent to put it up and start it. The 
purchaser replied that it would not be necessary, as he 
had a first-class man, who was a competent millwright, 
to take charge of it, and the speed would be properly 
attended to. 

In a few days after the machine was started, a letter 
was received, stating that the machine was not working 
satisfactory, and that there was a miscalculation in the 
feed, and that only about forty lineal feet per minute 
could be dressed and make good work. They had 
tried a larger feed-pulley so as to bring the feed up to 
fifty feet, but it made rough work and tore up the edges 
of the board in matching so that they had to abandon 
its use. I notified them by telegraph that I would be 
there the next day. 

I arrived at their office in due time, w^hich was in one 
corner of the mill ; and as soon as I heard the hum of 
the cylinders, I was satisfied where the trouble was. I 
inquired if their machinery was running up to the 
regular speed ; they replied that it was. I informed 
him if that was the case, unless my ears were greatly at 
fault, the planer was not running up to its speed by con- 
siderable. He replied that the machine was running 
even faster than I had recommended. His millwright, 
Mr. A., had calculated the size of the pulley, and Mr. A. 
nev^rmade any mistakes in his figures, and the machine 



MISTAKEB OFTEN MADE IN SPEED, IO3 

was really running 4200 revolutions per minute, and 
that I had made a mistake In calculating the feed. 

I told him I was not a betting man, but I would 
agree to purchase cigars for the whole party if, after a 
close calculation, the speed was over 3200 revolutions; 
and that Mr. A. should measure the diameter of the 
several pulleys as soon as they shut down at noon, and, 
if I was not right, I would make any alterations neces- 
sary, at my own expense, or they could ship the machine 
back at my expense. 

They admitted that this was fair enough ; and after 
dinner, Mr. A. brought in a list of the several pulleys, 
including the band-wheel and speed of the engine. I 
figured up the speed, and found the cylinders running 
a trifle less than 3000. I then told Mr. A. that he 
must lag up that driving-pulley just seven inches, and 
we would see what effect that would have. Mr. A. 
demurred a little, saying that he did not believe the 
machine would stand any such speed, and that It would 
not be safe to run it. I told him that did not matter, 
as I would rim the machine myself until he was satisfied 
on that question, but I must have the speed if they 
required the machine to fulfil the conditions of my 
guaranty. 

Accordingly the pulley was lagged up and the machine 
started. It ran perfectly steady and turned out the 
fifty lineal feet per minute, and was perfectly satisfactory 
to all concerned ; and Mr. A. was obliged to admit that 
at least once in his life he had made a mistake in his 
figures. 

After a planlng-machine, or. In fact, any other machine 
Is started up and put In running order, it must not be 



104 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

expected or taken for granted that it will continue so 
for any length of time unless it is constantly watched 
and everything kept in perfect adjustment. No class 
of machinery needs closer watching. With the con- 
stant vibrations which this class of machinery is sub- 
jected to, bolts and set-screws and nuts will work 
loose, no matter how well they are fitted ; knives and 
cutters will become dull with use, and require sharpen- 
ing, balancing, and resetting; belts will become slack 
and require taking up ; the foundation under the 
machine may settle (especially if none too solid in the 
first place), and throw the machine out of line, cramp 
the journals, and cause them to heat ; and a hundred 
other things, too numerous to mention. And only the 
diligent and watchful care of an experienced operator 
will detect and remedy these difficulties. 

When a machine, especially if it is a heavy one, has 
run smooth and free for several weeks, and then, with- 
out any apparent cause, begins to heat, there is some 
cause for it ; for when a machine has run free for that 
length of time, there is no good reason why it should 
not continue to do so for months, provided that proper 
care is manifested in reducing the packing, and screw- 
ing down the caps as the metal lining wears away. But 
if boxes continue to heat and bind, the probabilities 
are that the foundation has settled ; and it is always 
best, before attempting to readjust anything, to try the 
spirit-level upon those points from which the machine 
was first adjusted,, and, if the foundation has settled, it 
will readily be discovered and remedied at once: for a 
machine should never be run one hour after it is dis- 
covered to be out of line or winding. If the foundation 



ANNOYANCE FROM BAD BELTS. I05 

is good, but the shrinkage of the timbers has changed 
its position with reference to the machine, it is better 
not to disturb it ; but with a few shingles used under 
the legs of the machine, .it can be brought back to its 
former position. 

When this is carefully attended to, the chances are 
that the machine will go off all right without any fur- 
ther adjustment. But if it should continue to heat, it 
is evident that there is some other cause, which must 
be hunted up and remedied, for there is no economy 
in pouring on oil and running a machine with hot jour- 
nals. Dirty, gummy oil is frequently the cause. In this 
case, the cyhnder should be taken out, the boxes well 
cleaned, and the journals wiped off ; and after properly 
adjusting the packing so that the caps may be screwed 
down solid, the shaft will be free to turn without any 
play in the boxes. It is quite a particular job, and one 
that requires considerable care and judgment, to so 
regulate the packing that, while there will be no play 
in the boxes, they may not bind upon the journals ; for 
a very slight pressure will cause them to heat, while a 
very little play will make small corrugations upon the 
face of the lumber that is being planed. 

Care should be taken in grinding knives and cutters, 
so that they may be kept in perfect balance. If a new 
set of knives are in perfect balance, it is an easy matter 
to keep them so if sufficient care is manifested in 
grinding. 

The side-cutters should also have close attention.; 
and no matter what style of head is used, the cutters 
should be kept not only sharp and in good shape, but 



Io6 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

especial care should be had in filing or grinding, to keep 
them of the same weight. 

The cutting edge of a matcher-bit seldom exceeds 
two inches in width ; so, that if they are all of the same 
thickness, and kept the same length, they will always 
be in running balance. 

Bad belts are not only a great annoyance to the 
operator, but sometimes a source of great damage to 
the machine. There is no economy in running crooked 
belts, flopping about from one side of the pulley to the 
other, with thick, hard laps that spring the shaft every 
time they pass over the pulley. The sooner such belts 
are dispensed with and consigned to the junk-heap, the 
better it will be for the proprietor, and save a great 
deal of time and swearing on the part of the operator. 

It is a fact that may easily be demonstrated in 
most planing-mills, that the time spent in the course of 
a year in patching and sewing old belts, if carefully 
taken and kept an account of, would amount to a sum 
sufficient to more than pay for new ones. When a belt 
becomes so rotten and worn that it requires mending 
every few days, the cheapest plan is to mend it at once 
with a new one. 

The matcher-belts require more care and should be 
of better quality than any other belt about the machine. 
From the manner in which they run, they will get 
crooked no matter how good they may be. When they 
get so, if they are not attended to, they will run to the 
top of the pulley and soon cut themselves to pieces 
against the upright. In order to keep them in shape, 
so as to run well and remain on the pulleys in their 



MATCHER-BELrS REQUIRE EXTRA CARE, ETC. I07 

proper places, they should be (especially when new) 
turned every day ; and. even after they are done stretch- 
ing whenever they are inclined to ruu high upon the 
pulley, this may be corrected by turning them over on 
the pulleys. 

I once had a case of this kind, which is cited to illus- 
trate how little judgment and forethought some men 
manifest in the management of machinery. 

A medium-sized machine was sold to a party who 
claimed to have a man of large experience as a planing- 
machine operator to take charge of and run it. After 
a few weeks, a letter was received, stating that some- 
thing must be done with that machine, for the matcher- 
belts run over the tops of the pulleys and cut them- 
selves to pieces in a short time, and that he had already 
used up two new sets of belts. His foreman thought 
there should be flanges on the upper end of the pulleys, 
but the back-shaft was too high and should be lowered ; 
in fact, every man in the mill had a remedy for it, ex- 
cept the right one. 

I called on him, and he informed me that he had put 
on a new set of belts only a day or two previous ; and 
they had already began to act in the same manner as 
the others had done. I asked the foreman if he had 
ever turned them. He replied no ; that he had never 
heard of such a thing before. He had run So-and-so's 
machine for six months before, and never had any 
trouble of that kind with the belts. 

The belts were taken off and laid out on the floor. 
Instead of being straight, they described a circle of 
twelve or thirteen feet radius. The belts were turned 
end for end and put on again, when, instead of running 



I08 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

up on the pulleys, they ran down hard on the bottom 
flanges for a while, and then worked up to the centre of 
the pulleys, where they remained. I advised him to 
turn the belts frequently, and they would give him no 
further trouble. And as there were no further com- 
plaints, I concluded that the suggestion was acted 
upon. 

It is well known among all skilled mechanics that all 
quarter-twist belts, where the upright shaft is at right 
angles to the driving one, will find their own natural 
position upon the face of a pulley, no matter whether it 
is crowning or straight on the face, so long as the rela- 
tive position of the two shafts remains unchanged ; and 
where an upright shaft is driven by a pulley on a hori- 
zontal one, as is the case with the matcher spindles of 
a combined planing and matching machine, the lead- 
ing side of the belt, or that side which is running to- 
wards the driven pulley, will always follow a line at 
right angles with the upright and the top or driving 
side of the belt. That being the center of the pulley, 
one half of the width of the belt will run above that 
line, and the other half below it, provided the belt is 
perfectly straight ; and as long as these conditions are 
fulfilled the belt will run in the centre of the pulley 
upon the upright shaft. 

It is also well known to all practical men that the 
position of a quarter-twist belt is such that the strain 
upon the upper edge is much greater than upon the 
lower. And when the belt becomes stretched out of a 
straight line, it has the same effect as changing the 
angle of the upright shaft ; and the belt will run above 
its real path just in proportion as it would vary from a 



MATCHER-BELTS REQUIRE EXTRA CARE, ETC. IO9 

straight line provided it was taken o£f and laid upon 
the floor. Hence the necessity of frequently changing 
such belts by turning them over ; and all quarter-twist 
belts, no matter what their size or width or for what- 
ever purpose they are used, should be joined together 
by fastenings that will admit of either side being run 
next to the pulley 



no HISTORY OF THE PLANlNG-MlLL, 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FEED-ROLLS — MANNER OF CASTING THEM— TROU- 
BLE CA USED B V IMPERFECT ROLLS, IMPERFECT 
GEARING, ETC. 

The feed-rolls of a planing-machine, although not 
requiring the same mechanical skill and judgment as 
the cylinder and side cutters, should be carefully and 
accurately fitted. In most cases, they are cast 
upon the wrought-iron shafts that are used for their 
bearings, and to which the driving-gears are attached. 
If the shafts are heavy and properly prepared, the rolls 
may be cast upon them so as to be as strong and dura- 
ble as any other means of fastening. The trouble ex- 
perienced in many mills by the rollers working loose 
upon the shafts is in the imperfect manner of prepar- 
ing them before being taken to the foundry. 

In many cases, where rolls have been brought to the 
shop for repairs, upon examination it was found that 
only a few shallow holes had been drilled into the 
shaft at that point where the iron closes around it, the 
centre being cored out, leaving a bearing of from one 
and one half to two inches upon each end, the balance 
forming a cylinder of about one half inch thick. 

The coring out of the centre is well enough, as a 
round cylinder one half inch thick is strong enough to 
stand all the strain that would ever be brought to bear 
upon it. But the short bearings at the ends, and se- 



MANNER OF CASTING FEED-ROLLS. Ill 

cured only by a few holes drilled into the shaft, is not 
sufficient to hold it ; and with rolls cast upon the 
shafts in this manner, it will only be a question of time 
when they will work loose. 

All practical mechanics should know that the shrink- 
age of cast and wrought iron is not equal, the latter 
expanding by heat and contracting by cold more 
than the former ; and as that part of the shaft which 
comes in immediate contact with the melted iron be- 
comes as hot as the casting in a few minutes, when 
both cool off together the wrought-iron will shrink 
more than the cast and have a tendency to draw away 
from it unless some provision is made to counteract 
this tendency. If not, in nine cases out of ten, a slight 
jar will start them loose from the shaft before they 
leave the foundry. 

The most effective manner to prevent this defect is: 
In the first place, there should not be less than three 
inches bearing on each end of the roll where the 
wrought and cast iron come in contact. This may be 
done by casting collars upon each end of the rolls long 
enough to fill up the space between the boxes and the 
end of the roll. 

That part of the shaft which comes in contact with 
the casting should be turned down just sufficient to 
insure a clean surface ; for the cast-iron will not lay 
upon the surface if there is rust or other foreign mat- 
ter adhering to it, but will boil and bubbl^so that the 
surface in contact, instead of being smooth and solid, 
will be spongy and of no use. 

Heating the bar white-hot and while in that state, if 
all the rust and scales are carefully scraped off and the 



112 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

iron used as soon as it cools, will answer the same pur- 
pose as turning, so far as the casting is concerned. 

After the shafts are prepared, either by heating or 
turning, the spaces should be laid out so as to indicate 
where the cast and wrought iron are to meet. Then cut 
three or four square slots similar to a key-seat, — except 
they should begin near the end of the roll, — about three 
eights of an inch deep, and taper towards the centre so 
as to run out near the inside edge of the casting. These 
slots for a shaft two inches in. diameter should not be 
not less than one half inch wide. 

Now, when the melted iron is poured into the 
mould it runs into these slots, and that part of the bar 
soon becomes as hot as the casting. But the centre of 
the bar, being protected by the core, will not be heated 
much above a red heat ; so that, when the whole cools, 
the casting will shrink endwise more than the bar, and 
the ends will be drawn towards the centre upon the in- 
clined surface at the bottom of the slot, so that, the more 
they shrink, the tighter they will become. Rolls cast 
upon the shafts in this manner, with proper care in fit- 
ting up, will never get loose. 

The shafts are frequently sprung by the intense heat 
in casting, so that they require straightening before 
they are turned off. When such is the case, never lay 
them on the anvil and pound them with a sledge, as is 
frequently done, for that will be liable to start them 
loose, no matter how firm they may be. If they require 
straightening, the proper way is to use a press and 
spring them with the power of a screw. This is easily 
accomplished^ for that part of th^ shafting close to thq 



MANNER OF CASTING FEED-ROLLS. II3 

casting is always quite soft, being annealed by the in- 
tense heat of the melted iron that surrounds it. 

In fitting up rolls, it is important that they be per- 
fectly round of the same diameter, straight from end 
to end, and true with the journals. There is more 
trouble caused by imperfect rolls than many are aware 
of. If they are not true with the shafts or journals, and 
run out — especially the bottom ones — at every revolu- 
tion, they will lift the board from the bed unless the 
pressure-bar or roll in front of the cylinder, as the case 
may be, is weighted down sufficiently to spring the 
board and prevent it from lifting. 

This will do very well for thin stuff ; but with lumber 
two or three inches thick, if the pressure is set so close 
as to prevent it from raising, it will stick every time the 
high side comes up, and the machine will feed by jerks 
and make imperfect work. Again, if the feed-rolls vary 
in size, no matter how small that variation may be, one 
or the other must slide upon the surface of the board ; 
for they are so geared together that each pair are com- 
pelled to make the same number of revolutions in a 
given time. And it is evident that this unnatural 
strain upon the extension-gears, if not sufficient to 
break the teeth, will soon wear them away so as to 
render them useless. 

My attention was once called to a case of this kind 
which fully confirms what has just been said. The ma- 
chine Vas a heavy six-rolled one of a certain well-known 
manufacturer, and was really a first-class machine ; but 
the owners were having trouble with the extension- 
gears on the joUs behind the cylinder. They informed 
me that the gears on both pairs of the rolls in front of 



114 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the cylinder had never given them any trouble, and the 
same gears were on now that came with the machine 
and were in good condition ; but the pair behind the 
cylinder had always given them trouble — had broken 
and worn out three sets already. 

This machine was provided with a steel scraper, at- 
tached to the top roll to prevent the accumulation of 
gum ; and it had performed its duty so well that it had 
not only scraped off all the gum, but it had scraped off 
the roll also, until it was fully one eighth of an inch 
smaller than its mate ; so that the gears had not only 
to perform the duty of carrying the board along at its 
regular feed, but to overcome the friction of one roll 
constantly sliding upon its surface — so that this set of 
gears were doing double duty, as compared with the 
others. 

The remedy suggested was to take all the rolls to the 
machine-shop, and have them all turned to the same 
size ; then throw the steel scraper into the scrap-heap, 
and in its place apply a piece of hard wood covered 
on the side in contact with the roll with about three 
thicknesses of stout felt or cotton duck, and so adjust 
it that it would press lightly upon the roll, and, by the 
use of a few drops of kerosene oil applied once or twice 
in the day, the roll would be kept clean and there would 
be no further trouble from the wearing out or breaking 
of gears. This plan was adopted, and there was no 
further trouble with the machine. 

Good, smooth-running gearing is essential to a well- 
working machine. It would seem as if some manufac- 
turers had expended all their mechanical skill and in- 
genuity on their machines before the gearing was ar- 



MANNER OF CASTING FEED-ROLLS. II5 

rived at, and that part left to chance ; and as if they had 
picked up the first thing for a pattern in the shape of 
a gear that might be of the right diameter, regardless 
of pitch or width of face. Others seem to have given this 
subject considerable attention, with well proportioned 
patterns. But after all, there seems to be no standard 
for pitch. or width of face, some going to one extreme 
and some to the other. On one machine maybe found 
gears with very wide face and fine teeth ; while another 
will go to the opposite extreme, of making a very nar- 
row face, with the pitch coarse enough for mill-gearing. 

Now, there is a medium for all things. Fine wide- 
faced gears for planing-mill purposes are objectionable 
for the reason that it is difficult to keep them in line, 
especially those which run loose upon studs and pins ; 
and if they are not in line, and bear only on one half 
the width of the tooth, they are really no stronger than 
they would be if they were only one half the width of 
face. It is a mistaken idea that gears of medium 
coarse pitch cannot be made to run as smooth as fine- 
pitched gear. 

In my experience, I have found that the most suit- 
able proportions for the gearing of a heavy, first-class 
planing-machine should be two-inch face and one-inch 
pitch. If such gears are cast from good iron patterns, 
accurately cut, they will wear well, run smooth, and are 
less liable to break than any other proportion that has 
come under my observation. Wooden patterns are not 
suitable for this purpose ; for, no matter how accurate- 
ly they may be constructed, after using them a few 
times, the change from the moisture of the foundry to 
the dry air of the pattern-room will soon cause them 



Il6 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

to shrink and swell until they are anything but the 
proper shape for a good pattern. 

All gearing, before they are attached to a machine, 
should be carefully examined ; for, no matter how per- 
fect the pattern, by a little carelessness on the part of 
the moulder there are liable to be teeth that are 
swelled, which, if not dressed off so as to correspond 
with the others, there will be a jerk every time that 
tooth comes in contact with the others : and much of 
the wavy and imperfect work which is complained of 
may be traced to this cause. 

I was once sent for to examine a machine that had a 
trick of making corrugations on the face of the lumber 
about two feet apart, while the surface between was 
perfectly smooth. The operator in charge, who had 
only been in the mill a short time, and who was a very 
competent man, had puzzled his brains to discover the 
cause, and had given it up. I went for the gearing 
the first thing ; and sure enough, there was a tooth in 
the intermediate gear that had been broken out, and 
some one not well skilled in gear dentistry had inserted 
one in its place which was neither the right size nor 
shape to agree with the others, and every time it came 
in contact with its neighbor it gave him a punch, who 
resented it by giving him a punch back : and the re- 
sult was a small corrugation on the face of the lumber 
that was being planed. I took the gear off, and, with a 
file and calipers, reduced it to its proper shape and size, 
so that it would work smooth and regular with the 
others : and the corrugations from that time disap- 
peared. 

Very few operators are aware of the sensitiveness of 



SENSITIVENESS OF PLANING-MACHINE. WJ 

a planing-machine, and seem to think that, if they have 
a good heavy machine, it ought to do good smooth 
work under all conditions and under all circumstances, 
which is not the case. And I once had an opportunity 
of demonstrating this fact to a party who entertained 
this notion. He had in his mill a heavy, six-rolled 
machine, weighing about nine thousand pounds, which 
he claimed was cranky. Some days, he said, it would 
plane perfectly smooth on any kind of work, while 
other days the work would be wavy in spite of all he 
could do, and he had failed to discover the cause, and 
claimed it must be some defect in the machine. 

I looked the machine over carefully and could dis- 
cover nothing wrong ; and as it was turning out very 
smooth work at the time, I remarked that I was sure 
no one could complain of the quality of such work as 
he was then turning out. He said this was one of its 
good days, but he wished I could see some of the work 
that it turned out when it was '' buUing," as he ex- 
pressed it. I examined some of the work that had 
been done under those conditions, and was forced to 
admit that it was not first-class work. I examined the 
floor and the foundation underneath the machine, and 
found it fair, but not quite as solid as it should have 
been. I told him there was a cause for it, and I should 
stay there until I discovered it, " if it took all summer." 

To satisfy him that a planing-machine was more sen- 
sitive than he was willing to admit, I gave the machine 
a good smart kick with my foot, against the side of the 
frame ; and sure enough, when the board came out, 
although perfectly smooth in every other part, just at 



Il8 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 

the point where it was working when I gave it the kick 
there was a small corrugation. 

I then went up stairs, which was occupied as a sash 
and door factory, and right over the planer I saw a 
heavy power mortising-machine, but which was not run 
ning at the time. I requested the foreman of that es- 
tablishment to start it up, which he did : and sure 
enough, just as soon as it began to work, the planer 
commenced to '' bull," and the work was anything but 
smooth. I told him I guessed we had found the trouble 
without my staying '' all summer," and that, if he want- 
ed his planer to do smooth work every day without 
" bulling," he must take the '' bull by the horns" and 
either remove the mortiser to some other part of the 
building or put an independent post under it reaching 
down to the ground, so that the mortiser would stand 
upon its own responsibility, and not communicate 
every vibration it produced to the planer below ; also 
to put an extra post under the planer to help support 
the floor. 

This was done, and from that time no more " bull- 
ing" was complained of. 



L UBRICA TION. 1 1 9 



CHAPTER XIV. 

LUBRICATION— DEFECTIVE BOXES— THE SELF-OILING 
, BOX— GLASS OILERS— ADULTERATED OILS— THE 
BEST OILS FOR PLANING-MILL PURPOSES. 

As all wood-working machinery needs lubricating, it 
is unnecessary to say that without some system of 
lubrication no machinery can be successfully run. 

The different modes and the great number of lubri- 
cants in use at the present time form a good and 
profitable theme for discussion. When two surfaces 
in working contact are brought together, no matter 
whether the motion is circular or reciprocating, unless 
some substance be introduced between those surfaces to 
keep them from intimate contact with each other heat 
and abrasion will result. Perfect lubrication cannot 
be had unless suitable boxes to receive and retain 
the lubricant are provided. 

The old-fashioned box with a hole in the cap is still 
in use, and has its advocates. This may do well enough 
for some of the coarser kinds of slow-running machinery, 
but with fast-running machinery, of that class which 
comes under the head of planing-mill machinery, this 
box is out of the question for certain parts of the 
machine. The principal objection to this style of box 
is, the oil is not retained in the oil-hole, but runs down 
immediately upon the journal, and is thrown off by the 
rapid motion of the shaft and wasted, except what 



I20 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

may adhere to the journal ; and unless the operation 
of oiling be frequently repeated, the journal soon be- 
comes dry and heated before the operator is aware of 
it. Enlarging the oil-hole, by cutting away a part 
of the cap so as to form a receptacle for a piece of suet, 
not only takes away just so much of the wearing 
surface, but materially weakens it, besides forming an 
excellent receptacle for dust and grit, which are carried 
in with the melted tallow and helps to cut the journal 
and wear out the box. 

The self-oiling box introduced several years ago, and 
adopted by most of the leading manufacturers, was 
probably the best system that was ever adopted for 
lubricating fast-running machinery. This box was 
provided with a reservoir below the bearing to contain 
the oil, which was drawn up to the journal by capillary 
attraction through tubes inserted in the bottom of the 
box and filled with cotton wicking, sponges, or some 
other fibrous substance. Openings were provided 
at each end of the inside box which formed the 
bearing, so that the surplus oil drawn up through 
the tubes could flow back again into the reservoir 
after it had passed over the journal, and not be 
wasted. 

This style of box had no oil-holes in the cap (the 
reservoir being filled when the caps were taken off), 
and was free from dust and grit ; and as the oil was 
constantly filtered by being drawn through this fibrous 
substance in the tubes, the journals were always sup- 
plied with perfectly clean oil, while whatever impurities 
might be contained in the oil were left to settle in the 
bottom of the reservoir. 



THE SELF-OILING BOX. 121 

This style of box, although somewhat expensive, 
would run formonths without re-oiling if properly taken 
care of. But the trouble was that, if a box would run 
successfully for three months without cleaning and 
being replenished with fresh oil, the chances were it 
would be neglected until the oil was exhausted, and 
before the operator was aware of it the journals would 
be cut or the metal lining melted out of the box. 

We remember one case that came under our own 
observation. A line of shafting about ninety feet long 
was put up with self-oiling boxes ; the speed was three 
hundred revolutions per minute, and the reservoir 
under each bearing contained about a pint of oil. This 
shaft was warranted to run six months without reoiling, 
but it was stipulated that at the end of that time the 
boxes should be taken out and cleaned, and replenished 
with a fresh supply of oil, when it would be good for 
another six months' run. 

One day the foreman of the mill came into the shop 
where the shaft and boxes were made, holding in his 
hand one of the boxes with the metal lining melted out 
and the iron shell nearly cut through ; the shaft was 
also badly cut in the journal. Of course he heaped all 
manner of curses upon the self-oiling boxes. 

When he had sufficiently relieved himself, the pro- 
prietor of the machine-shop inquired how long since 
those boxes were cleaned and oiled. 

He replied that he did not know, — there had been 
nothing done with them since he had been in the 
mill. 

" And how long have you been in the mill ?" inquired 
the proprietor. 



122 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

" Well, let's see," replied the foreman : " I think it is a 
year last month." 

" And how long had the mill been running when you 
took charge of it ?" 

" I don't know exactly," replied he. 

'' Well, I know," replied the proprietor. " The mill 
was first started on the third day of April, and you took 
charge about the first of June following ; so you see, 
according to your own statement, that shaft has been 
running constantly everyday for about fourteen months, 
without cleaning, oiling, or any other care whatever ; 
and the only wonder is that, instead of one box being 
cut out, they were not all cut out, and the mill set on 
fire long ago from hot journals." 

Another case was a planing-machine that had been 
in operation a little over a year when the writer visited 
it. The cylinders were fitted with self-oiling boxes of 
a capacity to hold sufficient oil to last three months. 
When I visited the mill I found each box fitted with 
a glass oiler. I inquired how the machine was working. 
He replied. "All right ;" but his foreman said the self- 
oiling box was a failure and had condemned them and 
substituted the glass oiler in their place. 

Upon further inquiry I learned that for about three 
months the machine ran all right, and then began to 
heat so that it could not be run. I asked him if he 
would stop long enough to allow me to examine the 
boxes. " Certainly," he replied. 

The caps were taken off and the cylinder taken out, 
when the reservoirs below the journals were found to 
be full of a substance resembling gutta-percha, and 
nearly as hard. I asked him if those boxes had ever 



GLASS OILERS. 1 23 

been taken out and cleaned. He replied that they had 
not, to his knowledge. 

This explained the whole matter. They had run 
until the oil had become so thick and exhausted, that 
it could not feed through the tubes ; as there were 
no oil-holes in the cap, the journals became dry and 
hot as a natural consequence ; and instead of clean- 
ing them out, he condemned them and put in glass 
oilers. 

In this manner the good intentions of the manufac- 
turer are defeated by the ignorance or carelessness of 
the operator ; and many excellent devices that would be 
real improvements if properly treated are condemned 
as failures when it is really the operator that is the fail- 
ure, and not the device. 

This is not intended to apply to all operators of 
planing-mill machinery ; for I know personally many 
good, careful, intelligent men who are thoroughly ac- 
quainted with their business, and who appreciate good 
improvements, and take an honest pride in keeping the 
machines under their charge in perfect running order. 
But such men, however, are scarce — not but what many 
more might be had if the proprietors of planing-mills 
were willing to compensate them according to their 
abilities ; but the mistaken policy of employing cheap 
men to take charge of their mills is a fruitful source of 
annoyance to the manufacturer and small profit in the 
end to the owner. 

Notwithstanding the self-oiling box has been con- 
demned by many planing-mill operators, and abandoned 
by many of the manufacturers, yet we believe that, with 
proper care and the use of good oil, no other style of 



124 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

box is equal to it for safety and economy in the use of 
oil, besides the extra time that a box will last without 
rebabbitting. 

But if the majority of those who have the care of 
them will not attend to them and keep them in a 
proper condition, then something else must be substi- 
tuted that will keep the journals lubricated without 
danger of running dry and heating. The liability of 
melting the metal out of the boxes is not the only 
danger to be apprehended ; for in nine cases out of ten 
the journals, which are of cast-steel, become hot enough 
to melt out the metal lining, the shaft will be sprung 
so that it will require to be taken to the machine-shop 
to be straightened, and then, unless the straightening is 
done by a skilful workman, and one who has had ex- 
perience in such matters, the chances are that the first 
time it gets warm it will go back again, and in this way 
become a source of constant annoyance. 

The glass oiler inserted into the cap of a common 
box is the next best substitute for the self-oiling box. 
But they also have their disadvantages as well as their 
advantages ; and where they have been introduced to 
any extent, they have not in all cases been entirely suc- 
cessful. They require more watching than the self-oiling 
box, for the reason that they hold less oil and sooner 
run dry. And if they happen to be set to feed too fast, 
the oil runs out and is wasted ; and if set just fine 
enough to supply no more oil than is required for lu- 
bricating the journal, the least speck of dirt will stop the 
feeding entirely, and a journal will run dry before the 
operator is aware of it. The only redeeming feature 
that can be discovered is that, being of glass, it is trans- 



ADULTERATED OILS. 125 

parent, and, if the oil runs out, the operator can dis- 
cover it ; but if the glass gets broken the first week, as 
it is liable to in a planing-mill, then the operator gen- 
erally pulls out the wire and pours the oil down the 
tube whenever he thinks it may need it, regardless of 
quantity, until a new one is provided — which is not 
very soon, unless there happens to be an extra one on 
hand to take its place. 

Under all these circumstances, the most practical 
box for planing-mill purposes is a good common one 
with a long bearing, and lined with the best anti-fric- 
tion metal that can be obtained, and the caps provided 
with circular oil-cups large enough to hold a good-sized 
piece of sponge or cotton-waste, with close-fitting 
covers working upon a hinge or pin, so that they can- 
not be lost off. A small hole should be drilled through 
the cap in the centre of the oil-cup to admit the oil to 
the journal. And when this oil-cup is filled with sponge 
or cotton-waste, and well saturated with oil, if the covers 
are carefully closed to keep out the dust and grit, the 
oil will filter gradually through. This constitutes about 
as good a box as any for all practical purposes ; and if 
good oil is used, and no more applied than sufficient to 
xkeep the fibrous substance in the cups saturated, it 
is astonishing what a small quantity will answer the 
purpose. 

The selection of the best and most profitable lubri- 
cant to be used is a subject upon which there is a wide 
diversity of opinion among planing-mill owners. They 
are constantly besieged by dealers in oils, who have 
everything to offer as " the best," from the best sperm 
oil down to a keg of coal-tar. And a great quantity of 



126 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the stuff which is sold to those who do not understand 
the correct theory of lubrication, to be used on fine, 
fast-running machinery, is not fit to grease a cart ; and 
every dollar saved on this cheap stuff is two dollars 
thrown away on extra repairs. The old maxim " The 
best is the cheapest" may well be applied to lubricating- 
oils. . ' 

The correct principle of lubrication, as I have said 
before, is to introduce between two wearing surfaces a 
substance that will prevent those surfaces from coming 
in intimate contact with each other. And the substance 
that will best fulfil this condition the longest with the 
least quantity used, without becoming thick and gummy, 
is the best, no matter what it is composed of. 

Pure sperm oil probably contains the best lubricat- 
ing properties of any other oils, as it is comparatively 
free from gelatine, has but little affinity for oxygen, 
and consequently will not gum, but retains its fluidity 
until worn out. But the high price of the pure article, 
and the difficulty of obtaining it pure, together with 
the reckless manner in which oils are used by most 
operators, render it too expensive for general use. 

Next to sperm, pure winter-pressed lard-oil is the 
best, provided it can be obtained pure. But competi- 
tion among the man u fact ^vrers of lard-oil has led to a 
variety of adulterations. Cotton-seed, rape-seed, and 
peanut oils, with paraffine, and the Lord knows what, 
are the most common adulterations that render it gum- 
my and unfit to use on fast-running machinery. 

Hydro-carbons or mineral oils are extensively used 
for this purpose, varying in quality from the lightest 
and raost volatile down to a, substance but little better 



BEST OILS FOR PLANING-MILL PURPOSES. 1 27 

than coal-tar ; and each grade has its advocates. But 
from careful observation and a close examination of 
the chemical properties of this class of oils, I have failed 
to discover the lubricating properties claimed for them. 
A journal may be run with clean water without heat or 
abrasion ; but that does not prove that water is a good 
lubricator by any means. Water has not the consist- 
ency or body to prevent the surfaces from coming in 
intimate contact with each other ; consequently, the 
surfaces are rapidly worn away and the box is soon 
worn out. 

This, to a certain extent, is the case with most of 
the hydro-carbons unless they are mixed with animal 
oils. If they are clean and clear, they are so light and 
volatile that, when so used, there is not sufficient 
body to them to keep the surfaces from intimate con- 
tact ; while in the thick dark-colored oils that appear 
to have body, that body is composed of an earthy, car- 
bonacious substance with more or less grit held in sus- 
pension, so that the cushion that it forms between the 
surface wears away the box about as fast as it would if 
it had no body at all. 

From long experience in the use of various oils 
and lubricants, I am of the opinion that pure lard-oil 
is the cheapest and best for fast-running machinery. 
It is true that in the winter a planing-mill is a cold 
place, and lard-oil becomes thick with the cold ; but this 
may be remedied by mixing with about one third refined 
petroleum. This will prevent it from becoming chilled, 
and can be used in the coldest weather. One barrel 
of pure lard-oil, if used carefully and economically, will 
last as long and do as much work with less damage to 



128 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the machinery as three times that amount of the 
stuff that is sold under the name of lubricating-oils. My 
advice to planing-mill owners is to buy nothing but the 
best lard-oil ; and then, if they choose to adulterate it 
with paraffine, kerosene, or any other substance, to do 
it themselves, as they can not only do it cheaper, but 
have the satisfaction of knowing what the adulteration 
is composed of. 



HINTS ABOUT MOULDING-MACHINES. 1 29 



CHAPTER XV. 

HINTS ABOUT MOULDING-MACHINES— THE MOST DE^ 
SIR ABLE SIZE FOR PLANING-MILL PURPOSES— THE 
BEST MATERIALS FOR CYLINDERS, AND THEIR 
STYLE — SOLID CUTTERS— SECTIONAL CUTTERS 
USEFUL, ETC. 

In the list of planing-mill machinery, next to the 
planer and matcher the moulding-machine is one of 
the most importance. As nearly all lumber-dealers 
keep a stock of mouldings on hand, the moulding-ma- 
chine has become indispensable to all well-equipped 
mills. The market is full of machines for this purpose, 
and a purchaser can find anything he may desire from 
the best to the poorest ; from a machine that will 
weigh 500 pounds up to one that will weigh 5000. 

Some of the manufacturers of a machine that will 
weigh 500 or 600 pounds will swear by their machine 
that it is as good and will do as much work as the 
heaviest. 

It is not our object to recommend any particular 
'machine, or to speak of the machines of any particular 
manufacturer ; but the object is to point out and de- 
scribe the qualities required for the most suitable ma- 
chine for planing-mill purposes. And if John Doe, 
Richard Roe, Sam Jones, or John Smith make a ma- 
chine that comes up to these requirements, that is the 
machine to purchase. 

For planing-mill purposes, we consider what is known 



130 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

as the inside machine the best ; i.e., a machine with the 
cyHnders working between the boxes in the same man- 
ner as an ordinary planer and matcher. This style of 
machine admits of a wider cylinder, and is more sub- 
stantial and available for a greater variety of work than 
the machine with the over-hanging head. Besides, such 
a machine, when not required for mouldings, is avail- 
able for other work, and may be profitably used on ceil- 
ing, siding, and matching; while a light machine with 
overhanging head is not well adapted to such work, 
and may stand idle one half of the time. 

A machine of the style first mentioned, and to be 
suitable for the class of work referred to, should be 
built upon a good substantial iron frame of sufficient 
length to allow a good length to the cylinder and side- 
cutter belts. Short belts require more tension than 
long ones, and will not last as long — especially those 
which drive the side-cutters. 

To give the necessary length of belt, the frame should 
be at least ten feet over all, with the back-shaft at- 
tached to it by suitable boxes having all the pulleys 
required to run the various heads attached, which 
should be turned perfectly true and balanced. 

The cylinder should be at least twelve inches long 
and not less than six inches in diameter, and made either 
of cast-steel or gun-metal, with four sides, and furnished 
with slots on all four sides, so as to receive T-headed 
bolts in order that cutters may be attached anywhere 
on either face. 

In some shops, soft, decarbonized steel is used. When 
such is the case, the steel will not be of a quality fit to 
form the journals. In such cases, the cylinder should 



SIZE FOR PLANUSTG MILL PURPOSES. I3I 

be bored, and a good cast-steel shaft two inches in di- 
ameter should be inserted ; but if good refined cast- 
steel is used, of the best quality, the journals may be 
forged on it and form one solid piece. 

It is very important that the steel forming the jour- 
nal should be close, of fine grain and uniform temper; 
for if there should happen to be hard and soft places, it 
will not run long before the journals will become im- 
perfect and require turning off. 

It is not only the delay and expense of having im- 
perfect journals turned off every few months that the 
owners have to contend with. In many localities, a 
machine-shop may be a long distance from the mill ; 
and when such shop is reached, — in many places, in the 
country shops, — the lathes are not suitable for such 
work, and many of the men employed have had so little 
experience in work of this kind that it is doubtful if the 
journals will be perfectly round when finished. It re- 
quires a first-class tool and an experienced man to do 
such work in a proper manner. 

The boxes for the cylinders should be from ten to 
twelve inches long, and lined with the best anti-friction 
metal, and heavy enough to prevent vibration. This is 
a very important part ; for no matter how strong a ma- 
chine may be in all other parts, if the cylinder-boxes 
are not sufficiently heavy and well secured to the frame 
or bed-plate, so that they are rigid and steady and 
entirely free from vibration, smooth work cannot be 
expected. 

The pressure-bars, or whatever device is used for 
holding down the stuff while being acted upon by the 
cutters should be made adjustable to and from the cut- 



132 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

ter-heads, so that when deep mouldings are stuck, that 
require the cutters to project .beyond the cyhnder a con- 
siderable distance, they may be moved far enough away 
to clear them, and, when light work is being done, to 
be moved up close to the cut of the knife, v/hen pro- 
jecting but little beyond the points of the cylinder. 
Provision should also be made in the pressure-bars for 
screwing on blocks of wood, as it is frequently conve- 
nient, when very light work is being run, to fasten a 
block of hard wood on the pressure-bar the reverse 
shape of the moulding, and bring it close to the knife — 
and thus prevent slivering and vibrations. 

The side-spindles should be at least one and a half 
inch cast-steel, with that part which projects above the 
bearing fitted to receive whatever style of cutter-head 
may be used and best adapted to the work. For 
ordinary moulding work the four-sided slotted head is 
preferable, and should be made of the same material 
and fitted up in the same style as the cylinders ; but 
if the machine is used for matching a portion of the 
time, any of the approved styles of matcher-heads 
may be used. 

The boxes which support the spindles should be 
strong, with long bearings connected together by 
strong hangers, and so arranged that either or both 
may be moved laterally by screws for that purpose. 
Some manufacturers gib these hangers to the bed- 
plate by means of suitable dovetails provided for that 
purpose ; while others prefer to hang them upon round 
bars extending across the frame, and attached to it at 
each end. Either plan is good if the work is strong 
and well fitted. 



THE BEST MATERIALS FOR CYLINDERS 133 

The side-heads should be placed one forward of the 
other about one half the diameter of one head, so that 
when working on both sides of a piece the cuts will 
not be directly opposite each other. This admits of a 
suitable fence or guide on each side of the stuff for the 
opposite head to work against. 

The pulleys on the cylinder shaft should not be less 
than four and one half inches in diameter, and wide 
,enough to take a four-inch belt, and should be driven 
from both ends. 

The pulleys on the side-spindles should be of the 
same diameter, with sufficient width of face to allow 
for the variations of a quarter-twist belt, which should 
be at least twice the width of the belt. 

The peculiarities of a quarter-twist belt are, that 
when tight and straight it will run on the centre of the 
pulley, but when stretched out of a straight line and 
becomes loose it will run up ; and as it is almost im- 
possible to always keep it just right, the pulley should 
be wide enough on the face to admit of these varia- 
tions. Another peculiarity of a quarter-twist belt is, 
especially when new, that one side will stretch so much 
more than the other, unless the belt is frequently 
turned, that it is a difficult matter to run it at all. 

The feed-works should consist of two pairs of rolls 
not less than six inches in diameter, and connected by 
some good system of extension-gears, and weighted 
so as to give a strong and reliable feed to smooth- 
faced rolls. Fluted rolls on a machine of this class 
should never be tolerated. 

We have described in the foregoing what we con- 
sider the best and most profitable machine for plan- 



134 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

ing-mill purposes, because such a machine, when not 
required for moulding purposes, may be profitably 
employed on a great variety of other work that can be 
done on this machine to better advantage than on the 
planer and matcher. 

Very few mills in the country have sufficient 
business to keep a machine constantly employed on 
mouldings, but a machine of the style which we have 
described can always find something to keep it con- 
stantly in use ; while a light machine of small capacity, 
only adapted to ordinary mouldings, would probably 
stand idle half the time. 

Much has been said about cutters and cutter-heads, 
but a few hints with regard to the various tools used 
in mouldings and the manner of using them may not 
be out of place in this connection. 

It has become quite customary in many custom 
mills w^here mouldings are made to order to either use 
one knife, or build up^ as it is called. This building-up 
is accomplished by the use of sectional knives, consist- 
ing of hollow, round, straight, and other shaped tools, 
so arranged on the cylinder as to form the correct 
shape of the moulding when adjusted to a certain pat- 
tern. With a few sets of such tools, almost any size 
or shape of moulding may be struck by different com- 
binations of the same tools. 

There is no objection to this manner of forming dif- 
ferent combinations of tools, as it saves the expense of 
a. separate set of knives for each size and shape, pro- 
vided such sections are made in pairs and perfectly 
balance with each other. But the practice of using 
but one tool of each shape is a bad one. We often 



SOLID CUTTERS. 135 

meet with cases where a machine is set up with a hol- 
low on one side, a round on the other, and a straight 
on the third ; and if no other shape is needed, any tool 
or a piece of iron is fastened to the fourth side to form 
a balance, — neither one of the same length, width, or 
shape, nor opposite to each other, — and the machine 
started. If, after starting, the machine jars so badly 
that it cannot be run, it is stopped and an extra washer 
or piece of iron is added, and then it must go whether 
it balance or not ; and probably when the job is finished 
one half of the bolts and set-screws in the machine are 
jarred loose. 

Another practice is to fit up one perfect knife to 
correspond to the shape of the pattern required, and 
then find a piece of iron that will weigh the same on 
the scales, and fasten that on the side opposite the 
knife to counterbalance it. This acts as anything but 
a counterbalance, as the roaring of such machines will 
satisfy any one within the radius of half a mile who 
will take the trouble to listen to it. 

In order to counterbalance a knife in that manner 
perfectly, the counterbalance must be of the same 
weight, length, and thickness as the knife, for it is well 
known that the centrifugal force of all revolving bodies 
is to each other as the square of their velocities ; hence 
if one portion of the knife projects i inch farther be- 
yond the cyHnder than the counterbalance, that part is 
moving in a circle 2 inches greater in diameter than the 
counterbalance. 

Now suppose the longest section of the knife de- 
scribes a circle of 7 inches diameter, and the project- 
ing end of the counterbalance describes a circle of 6: 



136 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the difference in the distance traveled at each revolu- 
tion would be 3 and i^ inches. Multiply this by 3000 
revolutions per minute, and the difference in velocity 
is 875 feet per minute. 

Now compare the square of 875 with the weight and 
distance from the centre, and we find that a small 
fraction of an ounce will be magnified into several 
fractions of a pound. 

The noise and vibration are not the only objection : 
wavy and imperfect work also results (for smooth work 
cannot be done with an unbalanced head). The 
cylinder being out of balance, and not running on its 
true centre of gravity, in its endeavors to find that 
point which would be the true centre one side of the 
journal is constantly pressed against the box, bringing 
all the wear on one side of it. It soon becomes out of 
round, and the longer it runs the worse it gets ; and it 
is only a question of time when it will not run at all 
without heating. 

If preferable to make mouldings by the building- 
up process with sections, then these should be in 
pairs, perfectly balanced, and set so that each may 
do the same work ; then the cutters which form 
the moulding, no matter how many pieces they may 
be composed of, will run well and do smooth work. 
If one full knife is used with a counterbalance, then 
get a piece of the exact length, thickness, and weight, 
and file it up nearly or quite to the shape of the knife 
which is to be used ; set it back just far enough to 
clear the stuff ; then, if the feed is in proportion to 
the speed of the cutter, good fair work may be done 
without material injury to the machine. But as only 



_ SECTIONAL CUTTERS USEFUL. 1 37 

one half of the work ought to be done with one cutter 
in a given time, if there is much to be furnished it 
will in most cases pay better to build up or to fit up a 
complete pair. 



138 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES MANUFACTURERS MEET 
WITH— INEXPERIENCED MEN — PROFESSIONAL 
HUMBUGS— CARELESSNESS ONE OF THE CAUSES 
OF TROUBLE— THE OPERATOR IN HIS OWN ESTI- 
MA TION NE VER AT FAULT. 

Having pointed out in a former chapter some of 
the difficulties operators labor under from imperfect 
machines, I now propose to point out some of the 
difficulties manufacturers labor under from imperfect 
operators; and here let me say there is no class of 
manufacturers that have more to contend with in this 
respect than those just mentioned. 

The rapid motion of the more essential parts of all 
wood-working machinery renders it important that each 
part should possess the requisite strength, be well 
fitted up, and in perfect balance. To adapt and ap- 
portion the several parts of a machine so as to give 
the greatest strength to the parts which sustain the 
greatest strain is the most important point to be con- 
sidered in designing any kind of wood-working ma- 
chinery. 

At the present time there is scarcely anything 
made of wood but wood-working machinery of some 
kind used in forming it ; and in looking over the lists of 
the different manufacturers it will be seen that a vast 
amount of labor and skill has been expended in this 
line of machinery. 



INEXPERIENCED MEN. 139 

Now, while it requires mechanical skill and judg- 
ment to properly construct and put in order any of 
the several machines referred to, skill and judgment 
are also requisite to keep them so ; and I repeat what 
I have said before, — that no machine will run well and 
do good work unless kept in proper order, each part 
properly adjusted to its work ; and the more perfect 
adjustment, the more perfect work. 

The proprietors of some factories are well aware 
of this fact, and purchase the best machinery in 
the market regardless of cost, and employ none but 
skilled workmen in each and every department, the 
whole superintended by the most competent man that 
can be obtained — salary being a secondary considera- 
tion. 

Such mills ar'e always in a prosperous condition, as 
the superior quality of their work is sufficient induce- 
ment to others to place with them their orders. It is 
a pleasure to the manufacturer to place his machinery 
in such mills. The proprietor or superintendent — 
whichever does the buying — may be particular and 
exacting in many respects, but when he has complied 
with their wishes, and placed his machines in their 
mill, he will have the satisfaction of knowing that they 
will be well taken care of and kept in good order ; and 
if the same are composed of good materials and well 
fitted up, he need not fear the record of those ma 
chines. 

Other parties pursue just the opposite course. They 
buy the cheapest in the market {i.e., that which costs the 
least dollars and cents, regardless of quality), and em- 
ploy their men upon the same principle, — those who 



140 HISTORY OF THE FLANING-MILL.^ 

have had more experience in a cornfield than in a 
planing-mill. And such men are employed and put at 
work, often under the superintendence of a foreman at 
nine or ten dollars per week. 

The mill is ready after a long time, and the several 
machines are belted up and started. Some go, and 
some do not. The journals heat, and there seems to 
be something wrong with every machine. No doubt 
there is; for they are probably set up just as they come 
from the shop, without knowing whether they are level 
and out of wind, or whether the several parts are prop- 
erly adjusted, or even that the knives, if they happen 
to be on the cylinders, are screwed down or not. If 
one happens to fly off and break something, the manu- 
facturer gets a blessing, and some country blacksmith 
will get the job of mending it, providing it happens to 
be something that can be patched up; and by the time 
they get the mill running, and it has run three months, 
the machines are so banged up that they look as if 
they had been in use ten years. 

No wonder such parties complain that there " is no 
money in the business," and wonder how it is that A, 
B & Co. can afford to buy such expensive machinery 
and pay such wages to their men, — especially their fore- 
man, who does nothing but walk around the mill, while 
theirs is constantly at work, — and yet sell their goods 
at the prices they do. 

It is plain to be seen by any one that will see, that 
A, B & Co.'s machinery is running constantly like clock- 
work, and turning out more than double the work in 
the same time that they are, and of a much superior 
quality, while they are not turning out more than half 



CARELESSNESS OF THE CAUSES OF TROUBLE. I4I 

as much as they should when running, besides being 
stopped one quarter of the time by breakdowns. 

The former might have been avoided by purchasing 
good machinery, the latter by employing competent 
men to run it. They find out, often when it is too 
late, that their cheap mill and cheap men have been 
to them a dear investment, besides a constant source 
of annoyance to the manufacturer who furnished the 
machinery. 

This is why I claim that manufacturers of wood- 
working machinery have more to contend with than 
almost any other class. It makes but little difference 
whether a machine is sent out from a first-class shop 
or one that makes a specialty of cheap work ; for no 
matter how well made, if a machine is not carefully set 
up and kept in proper adjustment, it will not do good 
work. 

A manufacturer of iron machine tools has less to con- 
tend with. He sells a lathe, a drill, or an iron-planer. 
The purchaser in most cases is a practical .machinist 
himself ; if not, his foreman is. The tool goes into the 
hands of a practical machinist to run it. If there 
should happen to be some little imperfection that was 
overlooked in fitting up, he discovers it at once, and in 
most cases goes to work and remedies it without say- 
ing anything about it ; while a planer or moulding- 
machine that might be a little tight in the boxes is 
frequently started up by some inexperienced man, and 
after running a short time the journals get hot and 
melt the metal out of the boxes. Then the manufac- 
turer gets the benefit of sundry curses, and the machine 
is condemned as a failure ; when the fact is, it is the man 



142 HISTORY OF THE PLANINGMILL. 

who is the failure, and in most cases a greater one than 
the machine. 

A case that will serve to illustrate this came under 
my own observation a few years since. A firm in the 
eastern part of this State (New York) purchased a 
medium-sized planer and matcher to be run in con- 
nection with their boat-yard. It was mentioned in the 
agreement that the manufacturer should be present and 
superintend the putting up and starting it. 

The machine arrived in due time, and the proprietor, 
Mr. T., was duly notified. When he arrived at the mills 
and inquired for the foreman who was to have charge 
of it, he was informed that they had none, but expected, 
after he had put the machine in good running order, 
that any of the men in the yard who needed lumber 
dressed would use the machine for that purpose. Af- 
ter explaining to them the absurdity of the thing, and 
telling them plainly that he would not warrant the ma- 
chine for two hours after he left it, they concluded 
to call in Jakey, the foreman of the boat-yard and have 
him learn to run the machine. 

Now, Jakey had never examined a planing-machine, 
nor seen one running ; consequently he knew nothing 
about it. But Jakey was a very intelligent German, 
and took hold of the machine under Mr. T.'s instruc- 
tion, and in a couple of days got sujfficiently acquaint- 
ed with it, so as to be able to do very good work. 

But after a few days they concluded that Jakey's 
services were worth more to them in the boat-yard 
than in the mill ; and they had also learned that they 
must have some one to take care of the planer besides 
the men in the yard. Jakey advised them to hire 



THE OPERA TOR THINKS HE IS NE VER AT FAULT, 1 43 

some good man who had been accustomed to such 
work, to take the charge of the machine and do the 
planing. 

One day a chap came along with a bundle of sam- 
ples of matching, mouldings, and other work under his 
arm, and applied for the job, saying that he had run 
nearly all the different styles of planers in use, and 
more especially those of Mr. T.'s manufacture, and of- 
fered to work for ten dollars per week. This, they 
thought, was just the man they had been looking for, 
and hired him at once. When they asked Jakey what 
he thought of him, Jakey shook his head and replied, 
" Well, I guess dot fellow he knows too much and is 
no goot." 

Jakey had been doing very good work, and the ma- 
chine was in very fair working order ; but our hero said 
the machine was out of line, and, before he commenced 
to operate it, he must "line her up." 

Jakey told him he thought " 'twas better off he 
wait a leetle and let it alone for awhile." But our hero 
understood his business ; so Jakey retired to the yard 
and left the field open for him. 

After working at the machine four days, he finally 
told the firm that the machine was not built right, and 
never could be made to do good work without some 
alterations which he suggested. Mr. T. was tele- 
graphed to come on at once, as " the machine would 
not work." 

When our hero found that Mr. T. had been tele- 
graphed for, and would be there the next morning, he 
said he thought he would quit, as he was quite sure 
Mr. T. would not be willing to make the alterations 



144 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

that he required, and he was not willing to stay unless 
they were made ; so he left. And after he was gone, 
Jakey remarked, " I guess 'tis better off he had quit 
before he come here." 

Mr. T. arrived in the morning, and found the ma- 
chine with the bottom rolls about a quarter of an 
inch above the bed-plate, and every other part of the 
machine out of place that could be got out, and some 
boards lying on the floor that had passed through the 
machine that would have done well for washboards. 
Mr. T. quietly informed the parties that their man was 
possessed with altogether too much wisdom for a 
planing-mill, and that he would go home and send a 
man to put the machine in order again by their paying 
time and expenses, and advised them to hire no more 
tramps that carried a bundle of samples under his arm ; 
and that if they could not spare Jakey, to select some 
good intelligent young fellow out of the yard, and let 
Jakey and the man he would send break him in. • 

This they concluded to do, and a young man was 
selected to help Jim the man who was sent (from the 
factory); and between him and Jakey they made quite 
a competent man of him, and had no further trouble 
with the machine. 

Now, if the owners of planing-mills do not feel will- 
ing to start up with a full force of skilled men, then 
hire the very best man that can be found for a fore- 
man (no matter what you may pay him, he will be the 
cheapest in the end), and then let him educate his own 
men ; and in a short time the mill will be not only sup- 
plied with competent men, but men that you know and 
can depend on. 



RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOREMAN, I45 



CHAPTER XVII. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOREMAN— SYSTEM IN MAN- 
A GEM EN T—A CON TRA S T—FO UNDA TIONS—LE YEL- 
LING FROM CERTAIN POINTS, ETC. 

As we have before stated, to successfully operate a 
planing-mill it requires considerable skill and judgment 
— in fact, as much as any other branch of mechanical 
science. 

It is true that, to become an expert operator, it is not 
absolutely necessary that he should serve a regular 
apprenticeship at the machine business in order to 
know when a machine is in a good running order ; 
neither is it necessary to learn the joiner's and car- 
penter's trade in order to be able to turn out good 
matched flooring, siding, and mouldings. He should 
be able to adjust all the different parts of the machines 
under his charge so as to get the best results with the 
same degree of certainty as the manufacturer himself ; 
and if repairs or alterations are required to meet the 
requirements of the trade, he should be able to give 
the necessary directions to the machinist in an intel- 
ligent manner. 

The responsibilities of the foreman in charge are not 
simply confined to turning out good work, but often 
the lives of those under his charge may be endangered 
by his neglect or carelessness. If a knife flies off and 
kills or cripples the man or boy who may be feeding 
the machine at the time, in nine cases out of ten the 



14^ HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

foreman, if not strictly, legally responsible, is morally 
so. A knife will never fly off from the cylinder of a 
well-constructed machine if it is properly fastened in its 
place ; and it is the business of the foreman to know 
that it is. I could point out mills that have run for 
years without an accident of this kind ; while others 
that have not run as many months have had numerous 
smash-ups of this kind. 

I visited a mill not long since which had run about 
six years ; and during that time there had never been 
an accident or breakdown to amount to anything 
worth mentioning. The foreman I found to be a very 
careful, intelligent man, and one who understood the 
care and management of machinery about as well as 
any one I had met. He was not a machinist by trade, 
but his ideas of machinery were far better than many 
who were. He informed me that he never allowed one 
of his men to set the knives on a machine. 

" When the knives get dull," he said, " I always have 
an extra set on hand for each machine, ground up and 
ready for business, and it takes but a few minutes to 
make the change ; and if I do it myself, then I know 
how they are set. Besides," said he, " I often find a 
bolt that is strained and beginning to show weakness 
or the thread defective. In such cases I throw it 
aside, and substitute a new one. Then I know for 
myself that everything is all right. Another thing," 
said he, " I never allow the men to meddle with the 
boxes except to keep them well oiled. My orders are 
that if a box gets loose, or heats, to report it to. me, 
and I attend to it : that's what I am here for." 

In his roolroom there were shelves on which were 



SYSTEM IN MANAGEMENT, 147 

arranged extra knives, bolts, nuts, and side-cutter heads, 
with the cutters all set and ready for use, so that when 
one set became dull, instead of stopping the machine 
while they were filed or ground up, it was only stopped 
long enough to make a change of heads, when the 
former were taken to the toolroom to be put in order 
again. He remarked as I was about to take my leave, 
that his *' machines put in full time and earned their 
keeping." 

It is a pleasure to visit such mills, and a misfortune 
that there are not more mills in the hands of just such 
men. I called at the office, found the proprietors 
cheerful and pleasant, and, when asked about their 
business, said everything was pleasant and their mill 
was paying a good profit, and that they had a good 
man in charge of it. He was a high-priced man, but 
they guessed he was the cheapest after all ; but that 
$1500 a year was considerable money to pay a fore- 
man. I ventured the remark that he was a cheaper 
man for them at that price than some others which I 
could mention would be at $500. 

I visited another mill in the same town, and, oh, what 
a contrast ! I first called at the office. The proprietors 
complained of low prices and the running expenses of 
the mill, — that there was no money in it, — and finally said 
that, only for keeping their trade (they were large lum- 
ber-dealers), they would shut the blamed mill down : for, 
except the first six months, it had never paid expenses — 
supplies and repairs eat it all up. 

I went over to the mill, which was about a quarter 
of a mile from the office. I found four planing-ma- 
chines, one moulding-machine, one resaw, besides a 



148 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

double-edger and other necessary equipment. The 
machinery was originally of first-class manufacture 
and well fitted up. I waded through shavings nearly 
up to my knees to a planer which was standing idle, 
while the young man who ran it (when it did run) was 
grinding his knives on a stone that was full of lumps and 
hollows and fiat spots. I asked him why he did not 
turn it off and true it up. He replied that he didn't 
have time, as there was a lot of stuff to be got out that 
parties were waiting for. I suggested that there was 
always time saved by keeping tools in order, and that 
a grindstone was one of them. I then inquired for 
the foreman. He said he was not in ; but if I would go 
across the street to a place that he pointed out, I would 
probably find him, as that was where he generally 
" hung out" out when absent from the mill. I walked 
over and, sure enough, found him sitting by a table, 
with a glass of lager in front of him ; and judging from 
his appearance, I concluded that the cares and respon- 
sibilities of the planing-mill on the other side of the 
street did not weigh very heavily upon his mind, or 
else they were so heavy that he was obliged to resort 
to frequent glasses of lager to help him sustain the load. 
As I said before, the proprietors of this mill had 
their wholesale yard and mill in one part of the town, 
and their retail yard and office in another. And that 
one of the proprietors visited the mill at stated times 
twice each day ; and as the foreman generally managed 
to put in the time before he came around in cursing 
and finding fault with each man in the mill, his ener- 
gies became so exhausted that, after the proprietor had 
made his round, he found it necessary to go across the 



A CONTRAST— FOUNDATIONS. 1 49 

street to recuperate his strength with a glass of lager ; 
consequently, the proprietors did not know just how 
the thing was running. 

The fact was, the mill had been well acquipped at 
first and furnished with the same class of machinery as 
the one which I first visited, but neglect and careless- 
ness had nearly ruined every machine in the mill. The 
toolroom would give any practical man the horrors to 
see the broken knives, banged-up cutter-heads, and 
broken saws that would not be recognized by their 
maker. 

I learned that, when this mill was first started, a com- 
petent man, recommended by the manufacturers, was 
employed to take charge of it ; but after six months, 
the proprietors conceived the idea that they were pay- 
ing too much, and a cheaper man was substituted. And 
in one year from that time the condition of the mill 
was as I have just stated. 

Before leaving the town, I called again at the office, 
and the proprietors asked me what I thought of it. I 
told them that, at the rate their mill was running, there 
would be a good chance for somebody to put in a new 
set of machinery before many years. They said there 
was a "' screw loose" somewhere. I asked him what 
time he visited the mill in the morning; he said at nine 
o'clock. I advised him to visit it at nine o'clock the 
next day, as usual, and then go over again about eleven, 
and I thought he would find where the loose screw was. 

I have since learned that he followed my advice ; and 
the result was that they not only found the loose screw, 
but that the old foreman was sent for and he is now in, 
charge of the mill But ^fter looking it over, he plainly 



150 HISTORY of' THE PLANING-MILL. 

told them that it would take him six months to get 
everything back in good shape again, and use up all 
the profits of a year's business. 

A beer saloon may be all right for the purpose in- 
tended : but my opinion is that it is a poor place to run 
a planing-mill ; and the sooner the proprietors find it 
out, the better it will be for them. 

I do not wish to be understood that it requires every 
man and boy to be a mechanical expert ; on the con- 
trary, the majority of the work may be done by cheap 
and what is generally termed unskilled labor. But I do 
insist that, in order to operate a planing-mill success- 
fully and profitably, at least one man at the head of it 
should be a competent and expert operator ; and he 
should have the full charge of all the machinery, and 
devote his time to nothing else. I am aware that such 
men are not plentiful, and cannot be had for $10 or 
$12 per week; but enough can be had if planing-mill 
owners will pay them according to their abilities. 

When a new machine is required to be set up, a 
good' foundation for it should be prepared, so that, 
when placed in its position and levelled up from the 
proper points, it will remain so. In the majority of 
mills, the floor is not always sufficient to sustain a ma- 
chine, especially if it is a heavy one, without settling 
more or less ; posts or stone piers should be placed 
under the legs, especially under the centre below the 
cylinder. It is not good practice for the machine to 
rest upon the stone pier directly, for there is a possibil- 
ity of making a foundation too solid, as well as not 
solid enough. I once had a practical illustration of 
this fact, 



LEVELLING FROM CERTAIN POINTS, ETC. 15 1 

Quite a number of years ago I took a contract to 
furnish a mill complete. I was to furnish the plans 
and specifications for the building, furnish and put up 
all the machinery, and deliver the same to the com- 
pany all in complete running order. The floor was 
well supported by heavy timbers resting upon stone 
piers, so that everything was solid and firm. For 
one large planer, weighing about nine thousand pounds 
it was thought advisible to build up an extra founda- 
tion. Accordingly, the floor was cut out and three 
stone piers laid up in water-lime to correspond to the 
legs of the machine, capped with a stone flag each 
about three inches thick, also embedded in motar, and 
levelled up so that the machine might rest squarely on 
the stone. When all was ready, the machinery was 
started, all working satisfactory except the large planer, 
which would invariably, after running an hour or so, 
leave the stuff wavy ; and upon trying the cylinder 
boxes they would be found loose in the journals. In 
fact, no matter how well or nicely they might be ad- 
justed, in less than an hour they would show the same 
defects again. After working with it for nearly three 
days with no more satisfactory results, I concluded to 
try an experiment. I had some pieces of wood got 
out one half inch thick and just the size of each foot, 
and placed them under them. The next morning, 
after carefully adjusting the boxes, the machine was 
started up ; it ran all day, with the most satisfactory 
results, and there was no further trouble afterwards. 

Stone foundations are all right, but they should only 
be built up to within two inches of the top of the 
floor, and then capped with a piece of two-inch plank ; 



152 HISTORY OF THE PLANIXG-MILL. 

and when a machine is placed upon such a foundation, 
and levelled up nicely, and every part adjusted, if it 
does not do satisfactory work, the fault is in the ma- 
chine or the operator. 

I do not approve of the plan of pulling a new ma- 
chine to pieces just to satisfy the curiosity of the ope- 
rator, as is the case in the many instances. Some ope- 
rators seem to think that they must take a new 
machine to pieces in order to learn all the peculiarities 
of its construction. 

A machine that is sent out from a first-class shop 
should be adjusted in every part ready for work except 
those parts which necessarily have to be removed for 
the purpose of shipment. And when the machine is 
placed in its position, levelled up, and those parts re- 
turned to their proper places and the belts put on, 
then, after being well oiled up, it should be ready 
for business. Considerable care should be manifested 
at first, and the bearings watched for a few days, — 
especially in cold weather, — where some of the bearings 
are long and the motion is slow, the oil may not 
flow freely over the whole surface readily at first ; 
but after a journal has once become well covered with 
oil, then a very small quantity is required to keep it 
well lubricated. 

In levelling up a new machine, operators often get 
into an error by levelling on the frame. There is not 
probably one machine in a hundred that the work ex- 
actly corresponds to the frame, except those parts 
where it is planed off ; and by following the directions 
given in a previous chapter, there will be no difficulty 
in placing the machine in its proper position. 



LEVELLING FROM CERTAIN POINTS, ETC. 1 53 

The bottom rolls in every planing-machine should 
be set far enough above the bed to allow for settling 
into the wood, and must be rated according to the 
weight that is sustained by the top rolls — ordinarily 
one thirty-second of an inch for the leading-in rolls, 
and about one half as much for those that deliver be- 
hind the cylinder. The reason for this is that, after 
the lumber has passed the receiving-rolls, the grain is 
compressed, so that it will not require the same allow- 
ance for the back rolls. It is well for the operator to 
examine this part ; for no matter how well they may 
be adjusted in the shop, the jar of transportation fre- 
quently causes the nuts or screws to work loose and 
change their position, and thereby affect the adjust- 
ment. 

The lumber, in passing through a machine, should 
rest firmly upon the bed-plate — otherwise it will be 
wavy ; but at the same time the rolls should be so ad- 
justed that it will not drag heavily upon it so as to 
cause unnecessary wear and strain upon the feed- 
works. 



154 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A SUITABLE OUTFIT FOR A SMALL MILL— MA- 
CHINES SHOULD BE ADAPTED TO THE WORK— A 
QUESTION OF POWER— ECONOMY IN FUEL BY 
THE USE OF A SUITABL Y SIZED ENGINE. 

In ordering an outfit for a new mill, considerable 
judgment is required in the selection of suitable ma- 
chinery to meet the requirements of the locality in 
which it is located. In a small town, for instance, 
where only a limited amount of work is required, and 
only one planing-machine needed to perform that work, 
a medium-sized machine to plane one or both sides, 
twenty-four inches wide and six inches thick, should 
be selected. This should be a machine that can be 
easily and quickly adjusted from one class of work to 
another, and changed from matching to surfacing with- 
out the delay of stopping to remove heads or belts. 
In those small mills most of the work is short jobs, and 
there is about as much surfacing required as matching ; 
and a machine that can be changed readily, without 
loss of time, in ordinary cases will be able to do all the 
work required, and, if run constantly, it is better than 
to have two machines, with one standing idle more than 
half the time. 

I am aware that many object to running narrow stuff 
on a wide machine, for the reason that it wears the 
knives in one place — also the points of the cylinder. 
But in this class of mills to which I refer there is or- 



A SUITABLE OUTFIT FOR A SMALL MILL. 155 

dinarily about as much lumber that requires only sur- 
facing as there is matching; and if the machine is 
furnished with a guide on both sides (which all ma- 
chines of this kind should have), and the stuff to be 
surfaced is always fed against the left-hand guide, while 
that which is to be matched is fed to the right, as a 
rule both ends of the knives and both sides of the bed 
will be worn about equal, and twenty-four-inch knives 
can at all times be used to good advantage. It is true, 
cases may arise when quite a large job of matching 
may be required at one time. In such cases, it would 
be well to have a set of short knives on hand to use on 
such occasions. 

An idea seems to prevail among a certain class that 
a machine for these small mills should be adapted to 
all classes of work, such as planing and matching, 
sticking all sizes of mouldings — in fact, a whole plan- 
ing-mill and sash and door factory combined in one 
machine; and one party inquired why a horizontal saw 
could not be attached to the same machine to resaw 
siding. 

Now, my experience of over thirty years has con- 
vinced me of the truth of the old maxim ''To attempt 
to do everything with one thing will spoil it for any- 
thing;" and this maxim holds good with machinery as 
well cS anything else. Although machines are adver- 
tised to do all this, except the resaw part of it, I have 
yet to find one that was able to do perfect work on 
any class of work that was claimed for it. 

A planing-machine to do first-class work, and do it 
rapidly, must be close and compact in all its parts ; 
the pressure-bars as close to the cylinder as practicable, 



156 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

and the matchers as close to the pressure-bars as may 
be and give sufficient room for the chip-breakers and 
adjustment ; but if the pressure-bars are spread out 
sufficient to clear two or three inches, which would be 
necessary in order to stick mouldings, the matcher- 
heads would be required to be carried farther back also, 
to give room to swing long cutters for deep mouldings : 
and the result is, the machine is so spread out that un- 
less complicated and expensive devices are attached in 
order to keep the stuff from springing, good, straight, 
smooth planing and matching cannot be depended on. 

If a machine of this class must be used for such pur- 
poses, it is far better to put on what is known as an 
independent beading and moulding attachment for 
that purpose. 

But after all, it is poor economy to run a twenty-four- 
inch planer and matcher, with all the machinery at- 
tached, to stick small mouldings from one and one half 
to two inches wide, when a light sticker, costing but a 
few dollars in comparison to a planer, will do the same 
work with less power and to much better advantage. 

In larger towns, w^here there is a prospect of more 
business, a different outfit is required. One good 
double surfacer to work up to twenty-four inches wide 
and six inches thick, either with or without matchers, 
should be the first machine selected. Then a narrow 
double-cylinder planer and matcher to work up to not 
less than 4 inches thick should be the next machine 
decided upon. If the twenty-four inch-machine is to 
have matchers attached so as to match and joint 
wide stuff, then the matcher need not plane over eight 
inches wide ; but if the former machine is to be with- 



A SUITABLE OUTFIT FOR A SMALL MILL. 1^7 

out matchers, then the latter should have sufficient 
width to plane and match 14 inches wide. 

It is a well-known fact, and one that is recognized 
among experienced planing-mill men, that narrow ma- 
chines for flooring are more convenient to handle, and 
economical to use, than wide ones ; they are more com- 
pact, can be run at higher speed with the same power, 
and do smoother and finer work with a more rapid 
feed. 

If the two machines just referred to are not con- 
sidered sufficient, then the next most suitable machine 
to introduce is a heavy twelve-inch inside moulder. 
This class of machines, from their peculiar construction, 
are available for a greater variety of work than either of 
the planers ; and by using a machine of this kind for 
small jobs of siding, pickets, shelving, and fence stuff, it 
enables the planers to be run constantly upon their 
regular legitimate work. And as every yard is expected 
to keep on hand a stock of mouldings to meet the re- 
quirements of the trade, this machine, when not other- 
wise engaged, can be profitably used for this purpose. 

A resawing machine of sufficient capacity to cut 
fourteen inches wide should be added to this outfit, for 
splitting siding and panel stuff. In an ordinary mill 
there is very little occasion to resaw stuff over fourteen 
inches wide unless special orders for wide box stuff are 
to be filled : then, of course, a machine of sufficient 
capacity to meet the requirements of the business must 
be selected. But if there is much narrow stuff— such as 
six-inch siding — required, it would be economy to put 
in a small resaw expressly for that purpose. There 
is no economy in running a four-foot saw to cut six- 



15^ HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

inch stuff: it consumes more power; and as the cut is 
nearly square or at right angles with the grain, the 
work is not as smooth as if cut with a smaller saw 
working diagonally with it. Besides, the first cost of the 
large saw is at least four times as much as the small 
one, to say nothing about the extra time required to 
keep it in order. 

A double-edging saw of the most approved pattern, 
with a swing cut-off saw and a couple of common saw- 
tables will complete the outfit, as far as the principal 
machines are concerned. 

With such an outfit as we have just described a fair 
business may be done, and if properly managed and run 
economically it will be a profitable one provided there 
is sufficient business to keep the machines fairly busy. 

So far I have said nothing with regard to the motive- 
power ; but as most planing-mills are run by steam, we 
will assume that steam is to be the power. I believe 
there are more mistakes made in selecting the right 
sized engine and boiler for this purpose than in any 
other part of the outfit. In some way most people 
have conceived the idea that an immense power is 
required to run a planing-mill, and engines and boilers 
are often purchased of two or three times the power 
that is or ever will be required. Steam-engine builders, 
of course, would rather sell a large engine and boiler 
than a small one, and consequently encourage that idea. 

While I have always advocated plenty of power, 
with a reasonable surplus for additional machinery, or 
other contingencies that may arise, I am not in favor 
of engines of sixty or seventy horse-power when thirty 
is all that will ever be required under ordinary circum- 



MACHINES ADAPTED TO THE WORK. 1 59 

stances. To illustrate this, I will cite two cases that 
came under my own observation. 

One of my customers was about to start a planing- 
mill. After having arranged for his outfit, — which con- 
sisted of one medium-sized double-cylinder planer and 
matcher to work twenty-four inches wide, one thirty- 
two inch resaw, one twelve-inch four-sided inside mould- 
er, a swing cut-off saw, and a rip-saw table, besides some 
other smaller articles, — I inquired what sized engine he 
intended to use, and whether he had made any arrange 
ment for it. He informed me that he partly contracted 
with a party for an engine with a cylinder 16X24 inches 
and a boiler to match. I asked him what his object 
was in putting in so large an engine. He replied that 
the parties with whom he was negotiating told him 
that planing-mill machinery required a great deal of 
power, and that he would find when he got started that 
the engine and boiler would be none too large to run 
the mill strong. I simply told him that if he wanted to 
burn up all the profits of his business that was about 
the best way he could do it ; and when I recommended 
an engine ten by fifteen inches with a boiler to cor- 
respond, he thonght I was wild. I told him I thought 
I knew what I was talking about, and finally succeeded 
in convincing him that an engine and boiler of that 
size, with 60 pounds of steam and running 180 revolu- 
tions per minute, cutting off at three-quarter stroke, 
would be all the power he could use, with a fair surplus 
for contingencies, and that his machinery would make 
sufficient fuel to run it without using coal or wood. 
He changed his order under protest of the makers, and 
put it in, 



l6o HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

The mill ran for five years before it burned, and 
during that time there were several more machines 
added to the outfit ; and still he had all the power he 
needed, and was never able to burn all the fuel his 
machines furnished. 

Another customer, contrary to my advice, put in an 
engine and boiler of something over twice the capacity 
of this, to run about the same outfit ; and the result is, 
that he not only burns up all the fuel that his machines 
make, but is obliged to use from thirty to forty tons of 
coal per year in addition, and he realizes now that too 
much power is about as unprofitable as not quite 
enough. 

There is no necessity for guesswork in these matters. 
At the present day manufacturers know or should 
know just what power is required to run each machine 
that they furnish ; and those who intend starting a 
mill should first determine how many and what kind 
of machines they need, and then consult with the 
manufactures about the power required to run them ; 
then, with a liberal allowance for shafting and other 
contingencies, select an engine and boiler suitable for 
the purpose. If this plan were adopted instead of 
depending entirely upon what the steam-engine builders 
say, there would be fewer mistakes made and less 
trouble and expense afterwards. 

Before closing this chapter I will relate an incident 
that will show that people sometimes make mistakes 
in buying machinery as well as engines. 

A few years ago a party in a certain locality, whom 
we will call Mr. A., concluded to put in a double-cylin- 
der planer and matcher, Being a very close buyer, 



A QUESTION OF POWER, - l6l 

and not well posted as to the different kinds of machines 
that were advertised, he wrote to several firms for circu- 
lars and prices, and as a matter of course received 
numerous circulars and letters, all claiming to have the 
strongest, best, and cheapest machines in the market. 
Unfortunately for him, his experience with planers 
was very hmited, and he was a good subject for the 
cheap ones to operate upon. 

The circulars received from the firm of Good & 
Strong showed a first-class machine, weighing between 
7000 and 8000 lbs., and for the class of work for which he 
intended to use it, was none too heavy. But the one 
received from Messrs. Blowhard & Co., which repre- 
sented a machine of about one half the weight and 
about one half the price, but warranted to do the same 
work both in quantity and quality, attracted his atten- 
tion. He first visited the factory of Good & Strong; 
and as they happened to have on hand a machine of 
that size Mr. Good carefully and honestly explained 
all the parts to him, and he seemed well pleased with 
the machine ; but when the price, which was $900, was 
named, he informed Mr. Good that he could buy a 
machine that was warranted to do the same work for 
half that money, and pulled out Messrs. Blowhard & 
Co.'s letter and circular and showed them, at the same 
time saying that unless he could figure off about one 
half of that price he should try what he could do with 
the other parties. 

Mr. Good quietly informed him that the machine 
referred to would not answer his purpose, and that if he 
purchased one of them for his business he would find 
it a dear purchase in the end ; for no machine sufB- 



1 62 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

ciently strong to stand his work could be got up for 
that price. 

But B. & Co. had offered to put it in on thirty days' 
trial, with the privilege of returning it at the end of 
that time if it did not prove satisfactory. Mr. Good, 
however, volunteered to advise him that if he was de- 
termined to try the cheap machine, not to pay any 
money on it until the thirty days had expired ; for, in 
his opinion, the chances were that less than thirty days 
would satisfy him that he (Mr. Good) was telling the 
truth. Mr. A. thanked him for the suggestion, and left. 

Arriving at the shop, Mr. Blowhard met him, — of 
course, all smiles, — and proceeded to show his machine, 
at the same time assuring him that it was all folly to 
pay the price that certain manufacturers were asking ; 
that there was a great deal more iron in their machines 
than was necessary, and they were making big profits, 
and all he paid over a certain sum he was paying for 
their reputation ; and if his machine was not all that 
he claimed it, he would not be willing to send it out on 
thirty days' trial, etc. 

Mr. A. told him that he could ship the machine on 
those conditions, and as he had nothing but money to 
pay, that was ready at any time whenever he was satis- 
fied that the machine was as he had represented. Be- 
fore Mr. A. left, however, he stated to him that he had 
been disappointed in some of his collections and was 
short of funds just at that time, and if he would let 
him have $ioo he would consider it a great favor. Mr. 
A., acting upon the hint given him by Mr. Good, de- 
clined to advance any money until he had given the 



' ECONOMY IN FUEL. 1 63 

machine a fair trial; and after giving the shipping 
directions started for home. 

In a few days the machine arrived at the nearest 
station, which was sixteen miles from A.'s mill, and was 
hauled that distance by teams. The foreman, who was 
a man of considerable experience with planing-machines, 
looked it over and shook his head, but said nothing. 

In due time it was set up, belted, and otherwise put 
in order. A lot of twelve-inch stock lumber that only 
required to be double surfaced was got in the mill. 
With the first board the hub of the driving-pulley on 
the back shaft burst, and that was taken to a black- 
smith's shop and a couple of wrought-iron bands shrunk 
on, one on each end, and the machine started again. 
Two boards went through all right, but with the third 
one the pressure-plate over the bottom cylinder, which 
consisted of a cast-iron plate about four inches wide 
and one half inch thick, broke, and caught into the 
cylinder, when plate, cylinder, and all went kiting to 
the other end of the mill. 

Mr. A.', who had been watching the operation, at once 
ordered the machine loaded upon the wagon and carted 
back to the station, from which it was shipped back 
to Blowhard & Co. by fast freight. At the same time 
Mr. A. took the first train for Good & Strong's place, 
where he related the foregoing as his experience with 
cheap machines, and, finding they would not vary from 
the figures first given, concluded that it was better to 
pay a fair price and obtain a good machine. 

It so happened that the same machine that he had 
previously examined was still on hand ; he ordered it 
shipped at once, stating that the money was ready as 



164 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

soon as the machine was in satisfactory operation. 
Mr. Good informed him that he was in no trouble 
about that, and he could have thirty days to try it if 
he desired. 

I have only to add, that the machine from Good & 
Strong started in the morning for the first time, and 
ran all day without any trouble, and turned out a good 
day's work, to the perfect satisfaction of Mr. A. This 
machine has now been in operation for a number of 
years, and the expenses for repairs have been but a 
trifle. 

When everything was running smooth, Mr. A. figured 
up his account, which was as follows : 

Railroad fare to Blowhard & Co. and back, $5 00 

Hotel expenses, 2 00 

Freight, 9 00 

Cartage to mill and back to station, 1000 

Second trip to Good & Strong's, 2 00 

Blacksmith's bill for banding hub, i 50 

Handling and setting up, 4 00 

63350 

Cr. 
By planing three boards thirty-six feet at $2 
per M ......... $0 07 

Profit and loss, ' 33 43 

$33 50 



ADVICE TO OPERATORS. 165 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ADVICE TO OPERATORS— FEEDING CROOKED STUFF 
—SETTING THE GUIDES— THE USE OF SPRINGS 
NOT NECESSARY— MORE EXPERIENCE — CA USES 
FOR I UMBER DRAWING FROM THE GUIDES, ETC. 

The careful study of this chapter by young men who 
are just starting out, as foremen of a mill cannot but 
be of considerable importance. There is one point 
that does not seem to be as well understood by many 
as it should be, and that is, the proper adjustments re- 
quired for the feeding of lumber to the machine. Many 
operators will complain that the lumber is inclined to 
work off from the guide, and say that it is impossible 
to keep it up unless the machine is furnished with a 
strong spring attached to the table in front of the rolls 
for that purpose. A spring is no detriment to a ma- 
chine in case of very crooked lumber ; but if the rolls 
and guides are set as they should be, there is not one 
board in twenty that will run off. 

There are a number of causes that produce this 
effect : one is in not having the rolls set so as to bear 
equally upon both edges of the board. On wide ma- 
chines, when the lumber is narrow and runs on one end 
of the rolls, the opposite end is apt to be from one half to 
one inch lower than the end resting on the board : this 
throws the pressure entirely upon the edge opposite to 
the guide, and as the whole draught is on this edge, the 
natural tendency is to crawl off, as the expression is, 



1 66 HISTORY OF 7HE PLAN IN G-M ILL, 

from the guide. If this condition were reversed, and 
the end of the roll opposite the guide set a little higher, 
so as to throw the greatest pressure on that side next 
to the guide, then the tendency would be to draw 
towards it. I am aware that where there is much vari- 
ation in the thickness of the lumber that it is not always 
convenient to do so, especially with those in front of 
the machine ; but with a little care in adjusting them 
they may be kept so that they will in most cases bear 
upon that part of the board. 

Another cause is in not having the guides — especially 
the long one — set properly. It is well known to all ex- 
perienced men, that if a board of even thickness on 
both edges be placed perfectly at right angles v/ith the 
rolls it will pass through the machine straight, whether 
it has a guide or not ; but'if fed in at an angle, or out 
of square with the rolls, it will traverse the whole 
length of the roll and run against the uprights before 
it passes through. Now if the long guide in front of 
the rolls be set so as to throw the board at a small 
angle to the right, the tendency will be to draw that 
way ; and if the angle be considerable, it will press 
against the guide with considerable force. The short 
guide behind the cylinder should also be carefully set 
in the same line with the long guide in front ; other- 
wise the tendency will be to force the board out of its 
proper line, after it leaves the front rolls, and make a 
crook or bad spot in the matching. 

On a machine of the ordinary length of frame, the 
long guide should be set from five eighths to three 
quarters of an inch out of a square line with the roll, 
measured on the extreme end opposite to it. Too 



SETTING THE GUIDES. 1 6/ 

much draught is not advisable, as it causes unnecessary 
wear by forcing the rolls hard against the opposite 
shoulders. I have known cases where the shoulders of 
the roller-shafts have worn into the box one quarter of 
an inch from this cause. The simplest and most con- 
venient manner of setting the short guide behind the 
cylinder is, after the front guide is satisfactorily ad- 
justed, select a straight board and run it about half 
way through the machine ; then stop the feed, and set 
the short guide up to it. And in every case this will 
give a more satisfactory result than can be obtained 
with a straight-edge. 

I once had an experience with a machine that was 
amusing to me but rather expensive to the proprie- 
tors. I furnished several machines for a new mill, and 
among the lot there was a twelve-inch double-cylinder 
planer and matcher. The machines were all fitted up 
in the most careful manner ; and as they claimed to 
have engaged a man of large experiened to take charge 
of them and put them up, there was no necessity for 
sending a' man from the factory for that purpose. 

A week or two after the machines were shipped, I 
received a telegram in the usual language, 2>., "the 
matcher don't work." I was well satisfied that the ma- 
chine was all right and that the trouble was, " The 
man did not work." 

However, I took the train the next morning and ar- 
rived at the station, and procured a horse and buggy 
and drove out to the mill, which was eight or ten miles 
in the country. I met one of the proprietors in the 
yard, and inquired what the trouble was. He replied 
he did not know : but one thing he did know, that 



l68 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

they had spoiled 400 or 500 feet of lumber in trying to 
match, and the boards ran off so that some of them 
were only about half as wide at one end as the other ; 
and that finally they had concluded to give it up and 
shut the machine down. 

I accompanied him into the mill and asked the fore- 
man if he had a square and monkey-wrench ; he had, 
and got them. I put the square against the front roll 
and found the long guide about one inch out of square 
the wrong way. The guide had plenty of draught, but it 
was not the kind of draught required. I took the wrench, 
and loosened the nuts and set the guide back to its 
place, giving it about one half inch draught in its length, 
and requested him to start up. He did so, and every 
board after that hugged the guide so that there was no 
further use for the hand-spike that he had rigged up. 

The proprietor at first was inclined to give the fore- 
man a raking down for his ignorance ; but I calmed 
him down by telling him that mistakes would some- 
times happen in the best-regulated families. 

He then invited me into his office and inquired how 

much my bill would be, as they had made such 

fools of themselves that it was no more than right that 
I should be paid for my time and expenses. I told 
him if he felt disposed to pay my expenses, I would 
accept that ; but for the time, I would say nothing 
about it, as the joke on him was sufficient compensation. 

Another cause for the lumber drawing away from the 
guide is in not having the pressure-bar behind the 
cylinder properly adjusted. If the end of the bar next 
to the guide presses hard on that edge of the board 
it is sure to draw off. While it is very essential, in 



THE USE OF SPRINGS NOT NECESSARY. 1 69 

order to make smooth work, that the pressure-bar 
should rest upon the whole width of the board, yet the 
side opposite to the guide may be a trifle closer without 
any detriment to the work or the machine, and helps 
to keep the board from drawing off without the use of 
levers or springs. 

Where the machine is fed by a boy, who may be 
sometimes careless in placing the board against the 
guide, a light spring placed close to the front roll may 
be of advantage for that purpose ; but if a machine is 
properly constructed, with the rolls square with each 
other and in line, then, if the guides are properly set, 
there is no use of the clumsy, heavy devices that are 
found attached to many planers for keeping up the 
boards, that require all the strength of the operator to 
push the lumber by them before entering between the 
rolls. 

Some operators seem to think that everything must 
be screwed down as tight as possible in order to make 
smooth work, so that it requires all the power that is 
in the feed to force the lumber through. This is bad 
practice : the unnecessary pressure on the bed soon 
wears it away, so that it will require frequent planing 
off in order to be true enough to work all widths of 
lumber in a satisfactory manner. The slipping of the 
rolls when the pressure-bars are screwed down so tight 
also wears them away, so that they soon become im- 
perfect; besides the extra wear and tear upon the 
gearing. 

It is astonishing to note the difference in planing-ma- 
chines, and, in fact, all other wood-working machinery, 
after a few months or years in use, when put in the 



170 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

hands of different operators. I could point out a large 
number of different machines, that have been in use five 
or six years in the hands of careful operators, which 
show but little wear and are practically as good as new ; 
while others, which have run less than half that time, 
are, from careless usage and neglect, nearly used up. 

If the bottom rolls are attended to and kept in line 
with the bed, there is no necessity for setting the 
pressure-bars so tight upon the stuff. If they rests upon 
the board just sufficient to keep it from vibrating with 
the cut, it is just as effective as it would be if the press- 
ure were increased to a ton ; and just as smooth work 
will be done, with much less wear and tear of the ma- 
chine. 

When the work comes out wavy, it is not always be- 
cause the pressure-bar is not down tight ; the fault 
may be in the cylinder-boxes or some other part of the 
machine. And the careful operator, who understands his 
business, will ascertain where the difficulty lies before 
he moves a screw ; and then he will be sure to move 
the right one the first time. 



ARTISTIC WOODWORK. I/I 



CHAPTER XX. 

AR TIS TIC WOOD WORK— IMP IW VED MA CHINES— CUT- 
TING-TOOLS—IMPORTANCE OF A RUNNING BAL- 
ANCE—HINTS FOR FITTING UP TOOLS— THEIR 
TEMPER — HARD AND SOFT CUTTERS CONSID- 
ERED. 

The increased demand for artistic woodwork with- 
in a few years past has led to the introduction of many 
new, compHcated, and useful machines. 

Intricate carved work and irregular formed mould- 
ings of the most elaborate kind, which were formerly 
worked by the slow and tedious process of hand-labor, 
are now produced by special machines invented ex- 
pressly for the purpose, which not only performs the 
work more accurately and in less time, but materially 
decrease the cost of production. 

This change has not only demanded more accurate 
and skilfully constructed machines, but a more skilful 
and intelligent class of mechanics to operate them suc- 
cessfully. 

In mouldings especially, there is a great change, as 
compared with those stuck at the present time and 
those stuck a few years ago. Architects and builders 
are far more exacting now than they were at that time, 
jjuilders then were satisfied with mouldings if they 
were the correct shape and of an even thickness ; and if 
the surface required smoothing down by the liberal use 
of sand-paper, or sometimes the moderate use of a hand- 



1/2 HISTORY OF THE PLANING- MILL. 

plane, there was nothing said, because it was the best 
they could get, and was far better than the laborious 
process of working them entirely by hand, as they had 
been accustomed to do in former years. 

The competition among the manufacturers of those 
machines, and the desire of one to excel the other in 
the quality of their work, together with the increasing 
demand of the 'builders and architects for better ma- 
chine-work and less hand-labor has brought the mould- 
ing-machine to such a state of perfection that the 
most intricate designs in mouldings are now made, 
both in hard and soft woods, so perfect and smooth 
that even the use of sandpaper is dispensed with. 
This of course requires mechanical skill, in order to 
keep those machines in a perfect state of adjustment 
and the cutting-tools in perfect order, as the quality of 
the work depends entirely upon these conditions. 

The extra care required in fitting up a pair of cutters 
so that each may be the exact counterpart of the other 
and perform its part of the work, has led some opera- 
tors into the pernicious practice of using one cutter, 
and counterbalancing it with a piece of iron, or an- 
other cutter of a different shape. If this was a prac- 
tical thing, and the feed regulated accordingly, there 
is no doubt but just as smooth work might be done; 
but a cutter-head can never be balanced in that man- 
ner. 

It is true a standing balance in this way may be ob- 
tained, i.e., the head, when placed upon the balancing- 
bars, may remain at rest at any point, this showing a 
perfect standing balance. But there is a vast difference 
between this and a running balance ; and unless the 



CUTTl[NG-TOOLS. 173 

counterbalance is of the same weight and thickness in 
all of its parts, and every part of it revolving in the 
same circle, a running balance cannot be obtained. 

It must be remembered that the centrifugal force of 
all bodies moving with different velocities in the same 
circle is proportioned as the square of their velocities ; 
and a body revolving lOO revolutions per minute has 4 
times the centrifugal strain as one moving 50. Again, 
the centrifugal force of two unequal bodies moving 
with unequal velocities, and at unequal distances from 
the centre are in the compound ratio of the quantity 
of matter, the square of their velocities, and their dis- 
tance from the centre. 

Now, in order to illustrate this, suppose two cutters, 
each weighing one pound, were attached to a head 5 
inches in diameter, and describing a circle of that di- 
ameter at the rate of 3600 revolutions per minute : by 
the rules given in another chapter for calculating cen- 
trifugal force, the strain upon each side of the head 
would be equal to 77-55 pounds; but as a portion of 
each cutter must necessarily project beyond the diam- 
eter of the head to correspond to the depth of the 
moulding, the strain would be increased just in propor- 
tion to the weight of that part of the cutter, and its 
distance from the centre. 

Now, suppose only one cutter were used, and, in place 
of the other, a piece of iron were fastened to the op- 
posite side to form a balance. Although it may be 
of the same weight, and the head, when tested upon 
the balancing-bars, may show a perfect balance, yet 
when put in motion, those parts of the cutter which 
project beyond the head will present exactly the case just 



174 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

mentioned. There would be two unequal bodies mov- 
ing with unequal velocities, and at different distances 
from the centre ; and the difference in their centrifuga 
strain would be in the compound ratio of the quantity of 
matter, the square of their velocities, and their distance 
from the centre. So it is evident that a cutter-head 
cannot be balanced in that manner so as to run smooth 
and accurately. 

Some operators claim this may be compensated for 
by making the counterbalance a trifle heavier than the 
cutter; but this is only guesswork, and the result cannot 
be relied upon : and the result is, the machine goes on 
rattling and jarring until every bolt and screw in it has 
worked loose. But this is not the worst feature of it. 
One side of the journal is constantly pressed against 
the box in its efforts to find its true centre of gravity, and 
soon that side becomes worn flat or egg-shaped, so that 
it will be impossible to run it until it is taken to the 
machine-shop and turned off. A few turnings so re- 
duces the size that it soon becomes worthless. 

If I were asked to express my opinion as to the best 
and surest way to use up a moulding-machine in the 
shortest time, I would recommend the use of one cut- 
ter, balanced with a piece of iron. 

Notwithstanding some operators claim that it is a 
difficult matter to fit up two knives and keep them in 
shape so that each part will make the same cut, there 
is no difficulty whatever with proper facilities, except it 
may require more care. 

A very convenient tool for this purpose may be con- 
structed, with but little expense, that will easily enable 
one to accomplish this object. Get a couple of pieces 



IMPORTANCE OF A RUNNING BALANCE. 1/5 

of hard wood — one say about twelve inches long and 
the other six, and about one and a half inches thick 
and six or eight inches wide. After dressing them up 
perfectly straight and square, firmly attach the short 
piece to the long one, about three inches from one end, 
so that the two faces will make an angle of 45° to each 
other. On one side of the upright piece attach a guide 
parallel with its side and square with the bottom. 
Now if a piece of moulding the exact pattern of that 
which is to be stuck be bevelled on one end so as to fit 
closely to the bottom of the upright piece and fastened 
to the bottom of the form parallel with its edge, and 
then if the cutter is placed with its back against the 
upright and its side against the guide, when the edge 
is let to drop upon the pattern, and fitted to it and set 
accurately upon the head, there will be no danger but 
every part of one will be the exact counterpart of the 
other, and each perform its part of the work. With 
standard cutters, which are much used, the patterns 
should be cast of soft brass or babbitt-metal, to prevent 
them from becoming marred and losing their shape. 
As certain parts of all moulding-cutters wear away 
faster than others, they should always be dressed to this 
pattern in order to preserve their shape. 

The proper temper for a moulding-cutter is a subject 
upon which there is a variety of opinions : some con- 
tending that they cannot be too hard as long as they 
stand ; while others contend that very little temper is 
necessary. 

Wishing to satisfy myself and be able to advise oth- 
ers understandingly, I made a series of experiments 



176 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

with cutters of different tempers. My experiments 
were conducted in the following manner: 

A three-winged cutter-head was selected and bal- 
anced, with great care ; three knives were prepared. 
One was given a light straw-color ; the second a medium 
temper, so that it could be cut with a fine, sharp file ; 
while the third was drawn down to a blue, with very 
little temper. These cutters were tested upon hard 
and soft woods ; and in each case, after running a short 
time, the machine was stopped and the edge of each 
one examined with a strong magnifying-glass. The 
edge of each knife presented the same round appear 
ance that all rotary cutters have after being used. If 
there was any difference at all, it appeared to be in 
favor of the knife with the medium temper. As each 
test gave the same results, and the advantages being in 
favor of the knife with the medium temper, the conclu- 
sions were that the fine, thin edge of the hard knife 
crumbled off, while the very soft one wore off ; so that 
after running for one hour, neither had any advantage 
over the other. 

With all the improved machinery at the present 
time, the practical wood-worker is frequently obliged 
to resort to his own ingenuity in order to get out some 
of the crooked and odd-shaped work that is required. 
With straight work, no matter how complicated, tools 
can always be adapted for the purpose. Where the 
work is to be done on the edge, no matter how crooked 
or complicated, the upright shaper — or variety moulding- 
machine, as it is sometimes called — is admirably adapted 
to this class of work and saves an immense amount of 
hand-labor. 



SPINDLES AND COLLARS. 1 77 

In order to adapt it to all kinds of work, that portion 
of the spindles which projects above the table should 
be made so as to allow the cutter-heads to be as small 
as possible, in order to work in small circles. The cut- 
ters are bevelled upon both edges and fit into corre- 
sponding grooves in the collars ; the lower one being 
stationary and revolves with the spindle, while the top 
one is loose and held down upon the cutters by means 
of a nut attached to the upper end of the spindle. The 
lower or stationary collar, as it is called, is made deep 
enough to allow the pattern to which the work is at- 
tached, to work against it. In this manner, it will be 
seen that, if a piece of stuff be fastened to this pattern 
by screws or otherwise, and kept constantly pressed 
against it as it is fed towards the cutters, it will follow 
the shape of the pattern and be worked to correspond 
with it. 

With some of the earlier machines this difficulty 
presented itself. 

If the spindles and collars were small enough to ad- 
mit of working in very small circles, when heavier 
work required large collars and longer cutters they 
were found too light ; so that heavy and light work 
could not be successfully run on the same machine. 

This difficulty was met by some of the manufacturers 
and obviated by making the main part of the spindles, 
as far as the top of the upper bearing, sufficiently heavy 
to admit of being bored into and tapped ; so that the 
part which projected above the table, and carried the 
collars and cutters, could be screwed into it. In that 
way, they were detachable, and any sized spindle or 
collar could be used. 

This improvement had not only the advantage of 



178 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

allowing different-sized collars and spindles to be used 
upon the same machine, suitable for heavy or light 
work, but duplicate sets could be kept on hand ; so that, 
instead of changing and setting the cutters for every 
different style of work which presented itself, and 
which required considerable time to adjust the cutters, 
one set with cutters attached could be readily removed 
and another substituted in a few minutes: and in this 
manner, heads and cutters for ordinary work could be 
kept constantly on hand all set up and ready for use. 

The manner of raising and lowering the spindles so 
as to adjust the cutters to the work, in some of the 
earlier machines, was awkward and inconvenient. The 
workman was obliged to get under the table and screw 
them up from the bottom, which placed him in such a 
position that he could not see the work, and conse- 
quently had, in a great measure, to work by guess, 
which frequently involved the necessity of making sev- 
eral such attempts before the object was accomplished. 

Now all first-class machines of this kind are provided 
with hand- wheels at the side, within easy reach of the 
workman, where, by means of bevel gears and -screws, 
the spindles are readily adjusted to any point desired, 
the workman having his work and the cutters con- 
stantly in sight. 

The best and most practical machines of this kind 
have two spindles working in opposite directions and 
furnished with duplicate cutters, so that, if a piece of 
circular work is being stuck, one half may be worked 
upon one head and the other upon the opposite one ; 
thus enabling him to always work with the grain, and 
avoid slivering. 

As soine portions of the cutters for certain work 



HARD AND SOFT CUTTERS CONSIDERED. 1^9 

necessarily project some distance beyond the collars, it 
requires considerable care in giving them a proper 
temper, so that they will stand. If too hard, they are 
liable to snap off; if too soft, they will be liable to 
bend : and in either case, they become useless until re- 
paired or replaced by new ones. A good medium 
temper is indicated by heating the tool slowly over 
a clean fire or a piece of red hot-iron, after being 
hardened and scoured bright, until the color changes 
to dark purple with a slight tinge of green. This has 
been found to be the best temper for this class of tools. 
If the steel is of a good quality and has not been over- 
heated, it will give it not only a fine cutting edge, but 
the greatest lateral strength. 

When mouldings or other irregular shapes are to be 
stuck on the face of irregular or crooked pieces, the 
operation is more difficult. With segments of circles 
of not too small a radius the most convenient way is 
to work them upon a common sticker. This may be 
accomplished by first dressing the outside to the circle 
required, and then attaching to the table of a common 
sticker a reversed form corresponding to its shape, so 
that, instead of being fed by the rolls in a straight line, 
the work will be forced to conform to the circle of the 
guide, and follow it in a curved line, instead of a 
straight one. If the form, as it is called, is so placed 
that the radius of the circle which it represents is par- 
allel with the line of the cutter-head, the moulding 
may be stuck with the same cutters, and will corre- 
spond in shape with those which are straight. 



l8o HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

FRICTION— THE LA WS WHICH GO VERN IT— SLIDING 
CONTA CT— RE VOL VING CONTA CT — RESISTANCE 
ACCORDING TO WEIGHT, INDEPENDENT OF SUR- 
FACE IN CONTACT— ITS APPLICATION TO WOOD- 
WORKING MACHINERY. 

Friction is the resistance arising from one surface 
coming in contact with another and rubbing against it. 
It is the only force in nature which is perfectly inert, 
its tendency being always to retard motion. In some 
respects, it may be considered as an obstruction to the 
power of man and an obstacle in carrying out mechani- 
cal designs. But, like every other force in nature, it 
may, if properly managed and understood, be turned 
to advantage. While it may be an obstacle in the 
running of machinery, yet it is the chief source, after 
all, of the general stability of everything that requires 
to remain in a state of rest. The experiments of 
Rennie and M. Morin — the latter under the direction 
of the French government — have demonstrated certain 
fixed laws which govern it : First, when two flat sur- 
faces are pressed together without any lubricant, the 
amount of friction is in every case the same, and 
wholly independant of the extent of the surfaces in 
contact, so that, the force with which two surfaces are 
pressed together being the same, their friction is the 
same, whatever may be the extent of their surfaces in 
contact ; second, similar bodies excite a greater de- 



THE LAWS WHICH GOVERN FklCl'ION. l8l 

gree of friction than dissimilar ones ; third, with all 
hard substances, and within the limits of abrasion, fric- 
tion is in proportion to the pressure, without regard to 
time or velocity. 

All moving bodies in contact with each other are 
subject to three stages or conditions with regard to fric- 
tion : One is a state where there is no lubricant used ; 
another is a state in which a lubricant has been used 
but pressed out, so that the two surfaces come in inti- 
mate contact with each other ; and, lastly, where the 
pressure is Hght and the lubricant is sufficient to keep 
the surfaces entirely apart by a stratum of the same 
interposed between them. 

There is no rule established whereby the exact 
amount of loss by friction can be estimated, as the dif- 
ferent kinds of metals used in the construction of 
machinery all produce different degrees of friction ; be- 
sides, the great difference in the quality of the lubri- 
cant used often renders the loss double with one kind 
to what it would be with another. M. Morin estimates 
that, with' suitable metals in contact, and with a good 
lubricator, the loss is from 20 to 25 per cent of the 
force by which the bodies are pressed together ; or, in 
other words, if 2 sliding surfaces were pressed together 
with a force equal to 100 pounds, it would require from 
20 to 25 pounds of power to put them in motion. And, 
according to the laws established by those tests, it 
would make no difference whether the bodies in con- 
tact have a surface of i square inch or 20; for with 
the same load and velocity, the friction would be the 
same, regardless of the surfaces in contact. 
, If a force or weight of 100 pounds be placed upon a 



1 82 HISTORY OF THE PLANIMG-MILL. 

surface containing 20 square inches, then the pressure 
would be only 5 pounds to the square inch and the 
friction upon each square inch of surface would only 
be the one twentieth of what it would be provided the 
whole 100 pounds were placed upon i square inch. 

Again, if the 100 pounds were placed upon a surface 
containing but i square inch, this, h-r.ving to sustain 20 
times the load of the former, will consequently have to 
overcome 20 times the resistance by friction ; and if 
moved at the same velocity, the liability of heat and 
abrasion would be increased 20 times. And when this 
condition commences, the loss by friction is indefinitely 
increased ; besides, the surfaces are rapidly cut away 
and the parts soon destroyed. 

In view of these facts, it is one of the most import- 
ant duties of the designer of machinery — and one that 
cannot be neglected — to so apportion every wearirig 
part of the machine, whether it be a sliding contact or 
a revolving one, that the surfaces in contact shall be in 
such proportion to the weight to be sustained that 
there will be no danger from heat and abrasion. 

So far reference has only been made to such parts or 
devices which produce a reciprocating motion. But the 
same laws are applicable to revolving bodies ; as, the 
journals and boxes upon which each part of a machine 
revolve. 

There is, however, a slight difference in the conditions 
under which a sliding and a revolving surface may 
work, which may produce different results. In a slid- 
ing surface, the power is supposed to be applied in a 
direct line with the two surfaces in contact ; so that in 
every case the power to move it is in proportion to the 



RESISTANCE ACCORDING TO WEIGHT. 1 83 

weight — the friction being the same, without regard to 
the extent of the surfaces in contact, or the velocity 
with which they are moved. 

But this rule will not hold good with revolving 
shafts under the same conditions. For instance, if a 
shaft 2 inches in diameter, revolving in a bearing 6 
inches long, sustaining a weight of 100 pounds, and 
driven by a 4-inch pulley making 1000 revolutions per 
minute, requires 25 pounds of the power applied to 
overcome the friction, no more power would be re- 
quired to overcome the same friction if the speed were 
increased to 2000 revolutions. Neither would the fric- 
tion be increased provided the box was increased to 10 
or 12 inches in length; for it will be remembered "that 
with all hard substances within the limits of abrasion, 
friction is as the pressure, without regard to surface or 
velocity." Now, if the shaft were increased to 3 inches 
in diameter, with the same weight, and driven the same 
speed by the same sized pulley, the conditions would 
be changed, and more power required to overcome the 
resistance. While the frictional resistance would be 
the same in both cases unless the diameter of the pul- 
ley were increased in the same proportion, more resist- 
ance would be offered to the driving power in order to 
overcome the same friction and maintain the same 
speed. Hence, we say that with all revolving bodies, 
in order to comply with the laws of friction the power 
must in all cases be applied at the same proportional 
distance from the centre of that body. 

Long bearings, then, require no more power to drive 
them with the same load than short ones, as long as 
the same diameter of shaft is retained. But if the 



1 84 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

diameter is increased in size, then a larger pulley will 
be required in order to retain the same leverage from the 
centre. This being the case, it is much more economical 
to use long bearings ; for the more space or surface that 
the weight is applied to, the less the pressure upon 
any one place and the more surface to wear upon. 

For instance, if a box has a superficial area of 8 
square inches, and the weight of the body resting 
upon the shaft revolving therein is i6o pounds, it is 
evident that each square inch of surface between the 
shaft and the box will be pressed together with a force 
of 20 pounds. If the length of the box be increased 
with the same shaft so as to contain i6 square inches, 
then with the same load the two surfaces would be 
pressed together with a force of lo pounds to the 
square inch instead of 20 ; and as only one half of the 
pressure is brought to bear upon each square inch of 
surface, and there being just twice the number of 
square inches to sustain the whole pressure, it is evi- 
dent that, without any more loss by friction, the long 
box will wear just twice as long. 

Again, if, instead of lengthening the bearing, we 
shorten it so as to diminish the area from 8 square 
inches to 4, then each square inch of surface would be 
required to sustain a pressure of 40 pounds ; and if the 
same speed was maintained with the same load, the 
chances of injury arising from heat and abrasion would 
be increased in the same proportion. 

Builders of machinery are becoming aware of this 
fact, as may be seen by the increased length of the 
journals both in shafting and nearly every kind of 



RESISTANCE ACCORDING TO WEIGHT. 1 8$ 

machinery where there is any amount of work re- 
quired. 

Wood-working machinery is of that class in which, 
under its conditions of work and in the most favorable 
circumstances, the wear and tear is greater than in any 
other class of machinery. It is not only the high rate 
of speed that it is required to run but the dust and 
grit with which most of the lumber is covered, is a con- 
stant source of annoyance to the most careful opera- 
tor. 

Wood-working machinery requires to be stronger 
and more accurate than any other class of work. A 
slow-running machine may have a number of little im- 
perfections about it that may not manifest themselves 
for a long time ; but with a planing-machine or 
moulder, if there is any imperfections in the bearings 
or boxes, they will manifest themselves in a very few 
minutes after it is started. Perfect bearings and long 
boxes are requisite to a well-running and durable ma- 
chine ; and that manufacturers as a class begin to under- 
stand this, is evidenced by the improved condition 
of the journals and boxes of all modern-made wood- 
working machinery. 



1 86 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

SHAFTING— ITS PROPORTIONATE SIZE AND SPEED— 
TORSIONAL STRENGTH CONSIDERED — METHOD 
OF TESTING — RULES FOR CALCULATING ITS 
STRENGTH— TABLE OF SIZE, VELOCITY, AND 
PO WER. 

The necessary shafting and pulleys also enter into 
the items of planing-mill machinery, and much depends 
upon the selection of the most suitable size, the proper 
speed for utility and convenience, and the economy of 
power. Some are partial to large shafting and moder- 
ate speed, while others go to the opposite extreme of 
very small shafting and high speed. Now there is 
always a medium which is best adapted to all cases. A 
line of shafting for planing-mill purposes should always 
be adapted to its work, and in a great measure depend 
upon the size of the mill and the number of machines 
to be driven from it. 

For planing-mill purposes, as all machines run at 
high speed, it is more economical to use a lighter shaft 
and run at high speed, as this enables each machine to 
take its power direct from the line without the use of 
large, cumbersome pulleys or intermediate counter- 
shafts, which are both expensive and objectionable. 

It is a well-known fact that speed is power ; and if a 
shaft 2 inches in diameter will safely transmit 15 horse- 
power at 100 revolutions per minute, that same shaft, 
if the speed were increased to 300 revolutions, would, 
with the same torsional strain, safely transmit about 
43 horse-powen 



SHAFTING— ITS PROPORTIONATE SIZE, ETC. 1 8/ 

Taking the first cost of heavy shafting and pulleys 
into consideration, the extra labor in handling, with the 
wear upon the boxes caused by that extra weight, and 
there is no doubt but medium-sized shafting with light' 
pulleys running at a moderately high speed is the most 
economical in the end for planing-mill purposes. 

Some object to high speed on account of the fear 
that it might shake the building; but in the present 
advanced state of mechanical science there is no more 
necessity for shaking the building with a shaft running 
300 or 400 revolutions per minute than there would be 
at 100, providing the shafts are straight and true, and 
the pulleys well balanced ; and no machinist at the 
present time who makes any pretensions to mechanical 
skill, or who values his reputation as such, would send 
out anything that was not so. 

In selecting the shafting for a mill or factory, the 
millwright or mechanical engineer who may be in- 
trusted with that part should have a thorough knowl- 
edge of the torsional strength of iron in order to make 
a proper and judicious selection. The amount of twist- 
ing strain that can be sustained by a shaft of a given 
size without permanent injury or displacement of the 
particles composing it have been variously estimated. 

Trautwine says, *' To compute the size shaft to trans- 
mit a given number of horse-powers, multiply the num- 
ber of horse-powers to be transmitted by 300 and divide 
the product by the number of revolutions per minute, 
and the cube root of this quotient will equal the size of 
the shaft." 

According to this rule, then, in order to transmit 50 
horsepower from a shaft making 125 revolutions per 



1 88 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

minute, it would require a diameter of 4^^7}- inches, 
thus: 300X50 -r- 125=120; the cube root of which is 
4.93 inches. 

By the rule given by Scribner, the same shaft would 
require a diameter of 4j- inches. He says : " This rule 
comes from the highest authority and will give per- 
fectly safe results." 

There is no question, so far as the safety is con- 
cerned, for by this same rule a shaft 2\ inches in diame- 
ter would not be able to transmit but a trifle over 15 
horse-power at a speed of 100 revolutions per min- 
ute. It would be a difficult matter to make any 
practical machinist or millwright, in the present state 
of the art, believe that this rule is anywhere near cor- 
rect, or that a shaft 2\ inches in diameter, at 100 rev- 
olutions per minute is not able to transmit with perfect 
safety from 25 to 30 horse-power. 

Being fully satisfied that those rules were not 
reliable, and desiring to arrive at some correct basis, a 
series of tests were instituted by the author, which 
were conducted in the following manner: 

Several pieces of iron were cut from the same bar, and 
a space 12 inches long turned on each one i inch in 
diameter. One end was secured in a strong vice, while 
the other was supported upon a centre so as to allow 
it to move freely. To this end was attached a lever, 
having a notch cut in it just 12 inches from the centre 
of the shaft. A suitable box for holding the weights 
was suspended from the lever at the notch by a bail 
provided for the purpose. The weight of the box be- 
ing known, the weights were carefully placed in the 
box so as not to produce a shock, and the deflection of 



TORSIONAL STRENGTH CONSIDERED.' 1 89 

the lever carefully noted at each increase of the 
weight until the bar began to show a permanent set. 
By means of a cord and small pulley attached to the 
floor above, the box could be gently raised so as to re- 
lieve it from the weights, and note the deflections of 
the lever. With 400 pounds the deflection of the lever 
at the notch was i|- inches. But when relieved from 
the weight it returned to its original position. The 
load was then increased in the same manner to 420 
pounds. The deflection of the lever was then nearly 2 
inches, and when relieved of the load again it showed 
a permanent set in the bar of 4°. Tests were then 
made with other bars of the same size and length by 
applying the load suddenly. It was found that when 
100 pounds were dropped suddenly upon it, the same 
deflection of the lever was shown that 400 pounds pro- 
duced when let down carefully and without any shock. 
Over 100 pounds applied with a shock produced a per- 
manent set in the bar. From these tests we arrived at 
the following facts : 

That where shafting is subjected to sudden shocks, 
as all shafting is liable to be by the throwing on of heavy 
belts in starting machines, one fourth of its ultimate 
strength is all that can be safely relied upon in practi- 
cal use. To reduce this to foot-pounds, or to a given 
number of pounds moved at the rate of I foot per 
minute, suppose the lever i foot long to represent a 
pulley of I foot radius or 2 feet in diameter ; and sup- 
pose I revolution per minute is taken for the unit of 
speed. Now the circumference of a pulley 2 feet in 
diameter is near enough to 6 feet in circumference for 
all practical purposes, so that the 100 pounds at each 



1 90 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

revolution would be carried through a space equal to 
6 feet per minute, which would be equal to 600 pounds 
carried through a space equal to i foot in the same 
time. Thus we find that a shaft i inch in diameter re- 
volving at the rate of i revolution per minute will 
transmit 600 pounds per minute, no matter what the., 
distance may be from the centre at which the power 
is applied in order to communicate it. 

For example, if the power be applied to a pulley 4 
feet in diameter instead of 2, at each revolution of the 
shaft the load, whatever it may be, will be carried 
through double the space in the same time, and conse- 
quently requires but one half the force to produce the 
same effect. Therefore we divide this 600 pounds by 
the circumference of the pulley to find the force to be 
applied once every minute to obtain that result. Thus 
if the pulley were 12 feet in circumference, 

600 -M2 = 50 pounds. 
So that 50 pounds applied to a pulley 4 feet in diame- 
ter making i revolution is equal to 100 pounds applied 
to a pulley 2 feet in diameter at the same speed. 

Again, if it were required to find the number of rev- 
olutions per minute that a shaft i inch in diameter 
should make to transmit a given power, divide the 
number of pounds contained in that power by the 
number of pounds which the shaft is capable of trans- 
mitting at I revolution per minute. 

If it be required to determine the number of revolu- 
tions per minute that a shaft i inch in diameter should 
make in order to transmit 2 horse-power, take the 
value of 2 horse-power and divide it by 600 ; thus : 
33000 X 2 = 66000^600 =110 revolutions. 



TESTING TORSIONAL STRENGTH OF SHAFTING. I9I 

When the speed of a shaft i inch in diameter is 
given, to find its power multiply the speed of the shaft 
by its size and by 600, and divide by the value of i 
horse-power. 

Example : what power will be transmitted from a 
shaft I inch in diameter revolving at the rate of no 
revolutions per minute ? 

I X 1 10 X 600 -^ 33000 = 2 horse-power. 

The foregoing examples and rules are applicable to 
shafts I inch in diameter exclusively ; but now to 
apply the same rule to other sizes other conditions 
must be complied with. It is well-known to mechani- 
cal experts that the torsional strength of all round bars 
of iron of different diameters are to each other as the 
cube of their respective diameters ; but as the cube of 
I is I, there is no necessity for a proportional state- 
ment, and all that is required to apply the foregoing 
rules is to use the cube of the diameter instead of the 
real diameter. Hence, to find the power of any sized 
shaft when the size and speed is given, multiply the 
cube of the diameter by the number of revolutions per 
minute and that product by 600, and divide by the 
value of I horse-power. 

Example : What power may be transmitted from a 
shaft 2 inches in diameter at a speed of 1 10 revolutions 
per minute ? 

First, the cube of 2 is 8 ; then 
8 X no X 600 = 528000 -=- 33000= 16.3 horse-power. 

When the diameter of the shaft and the power re- 
quired are given to find its speed, first multiply the 
given power by the value of i horse-power to obtain 
the number of foot pounds required per minute, and 



192 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

then divide by 600, (the unit of foot-pounds for i inch), 
and the cube of the diameter of the shaft the quotient 
will equal the number of revolutions per minute. 

Example : At what speed should a shaft 2 inches in 
diameter run in order to transmit 16 horse-power? 

First, 16 X 33000 = 48000 foot-pounds per minute re- 
quired. Then as 600 is the unit for i inch, 48000 -^ 
600 = 880 pounds, the strength of the shaft, or the num- 
ber of foot-pounds which it is able to safely transmit. 
Now if the last number be divided by the cube of the 
diameter of the shaft the quotent will equal the speed — 
88o-r-8=iio revolutions. 

When the power and speed are given to find the 
size of the shaft, first asertain the number of foot- 
pounds which are required in order to obtain that 
power. This is obtained by multiplying the given 
power by the value of i horse-power ; then this product 
divided by the number of revolutions per minute 
given represents the number of foot-pounds that may 
be transmitted at each revolution, and as 600 pounds 
to the revolution is the unit, by dividing by this num- 
ber we obtain the cube of the diameter of a shaft 
capable of transmitting that power at the given rate of 
speed the cube root of which is the diameter required. 

Example : The diameter of a shaft is required which 
will transmit 16 horse-power at a speed of 100 rev- 
olutions per minute: 16x33000=528000-^-110=: 
4800 -^ 600 = 8 cube root of 8 = 2 inches. 

From the foregoing tests and examination of this 
subject, we have been able to formulate the following 
rules: 

Case i. When the diameter of a shaft is given, 



HOW TO CALCULATE STRENGTH OF SHAFTING. 1 93 

and the power it is required to transmit to find its 
speed. 

Rule : Multiply the given power by 33000 and 
divide that product by 600; this quotient divided by 
the cube of the diameter of the shaft will equal the 
speed in revolutions per minute. 

Case 2. When the diameter and speed of a shaft are 
given to find its power. 

Rule : Multiply the cube of the diameter by 600, 
and that product by the number of revolutions per 
minute and divide by 33000 : the quotient will equal 
the number of horse-power. 

Case 3. When the power required and the speed of 
a shaft given, to find its diameter. 

Rule: Multiply the given power by 33000; divide 
this product by 600 and the speed of the shaft in rev- 
olutions per minute. The cube root of this quotient 
will equal the diameter. 

To familiarize the reader with the foregoing rules, 
the following promiscuous examples are given : 

What power may be transmitted from a shaft 2^ 
inches in diameter running at a speed of 300 revolutions 
per minute? The cube of 2^ is 15.6; then 600 X 15.6 
X 300 -^ 33000 = 85 horse-power. 

Required the power that may be transmitted from a 
shaft 3 inches in diameter at 150 revolutions per min- 
ute. 3 X 3 X 3 = 27 (the cube of the diameter) ; 
then 27 x6oo X 150-r- 33000 = 73.63 horse-power. 

How many revolutions per minute must a shaft 3 
inches in diameter make in order to transmit 90 horse- 
power? 90 X 33000 -^ 600 -i- 27 = 183.33 revolutions. 

How many revolutions per minute should a shaft 2 



194 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

inches in diameter make in order to transmit 25 horse- 
power? 25 X 33000 -^ 600 ^8 =: 171.87 revolutions. 

What is the required diameter of a shaft that will 
transmit 180 horse-power a speed of 120 revolutions 
per minute? 180 -J- 33000 -^ 6oo -H 120 =: 82.5, the 
cube root of which is 4 35 inches. 

What sized shaft would be required to transmit 
forty-eight horse-power at three hundred and thirty 
revolutions per minute? 48 X 33000 -\- 600 -^- 330 = 
8 cube root of 8 = 2 inches. 

In the application of the foregoing rules, torsional 
strength is all that has been taken into consideration. 
There are, however, other things to be taken into con- 
sideration in connection with this subject, before de- 
ciding upon the most suitable sized shafting for a 
mill. 

It often becomes necessary to place a pulley or gear 
that may be required to transmit a large portion of 
the power to another shaft, and that pulley or gear 
may be required to be placed in the centre of the shaft 
between the bearings ; and while the torsional strength 
maybe amply sufificient to perform the work, the trans- 
verse strength may not be sufficient to prevent it from 
springing sidewise. This, however, may always be 
remedied by either using a larger piece of shaft at this 
particular place, or by adding another bearing close to 
the pulley or gear, as the case may be : but the latter 
is always preferable when it can be conveniently done. 

One of the mistakes often made in arranging for 
shafting is a proper distance between the bearings. 
Cases are often met with in the same mill where there 
may be two or three lines upon different floors, each 



HOW TO CALCULATE STRENGTH OF SHAFTLNG. I95 

of different size, yet the distance from centre to centre 
of the bearings are all about the same. This is not 
good practice ; for while the sizes of the different lines 
may be in good proportions according to the amount of 
labor they are required to perform, the distance from 
centre to centre should also be in proportion to the 
size : otherwise they will be deficient in laterall 
strength. 

The transverse strength of all-round bars of iron of 
different sizes, but of the same length, is in proportion 
as the square of their diameters ; consequently shafts 
of smaller diameter require less distance between 
bearings, in order to retain their lateral strength, than 
larger ones. The most practical rule that can be 
adopted and coincide with this is to take three times the 
diameter of the shaft in inches for the same number of 
feet between the centres of the bearings. 

Thus a shaft three inches in diameter would require 
nine feet from centre to centre of the bearings, while 
one of two inches diameter would require six feet — and 
so on. The proper length of bearing is another con- 
sideration, and in ordinary practice should not be less 
than three diameters of the shaft. In special cases, 
where there is an unusual stress, the length may be in- 
creased to four diameters. 

A large amount of power is frequently lost in many 
mills by the use of imperfect shafting. To run well 
and economize power, a Hne shaft should be perfectly 
straight and true ; all pulleys (and gears, if any are 
used) should be perfectly balanced, so that when the 
whole is put up and the bearings oiled, a line 100 feet 
long should be readily turned by hand by taking hold 



196 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

of one of the pulleys. But if put up imperfect, out of 
line with pulleys, not well balanced, several horse- 
power will be required to overcome the frictional 
resistance. 

The following table shows the number of horse-power 
that may be safely transmitted by shafts from one 
inch to six inches inclusive, at speeds from 100 to 300 
revolutions per minute, compiled from practical tests 
by the author. 



SIZE, VELOCITY, AND POWER OF SHAFTING. IQ/ 

TABLE I. 



Number 
of Revo- 
lutions. 


lOO 


"5 
H. P. 


150 


175 


200 


225 


250 


275 


300 


Diameter 

of shaft 

in inches. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


I 


i.8i 


2.27 


2.72 


3.18 


3-63 


4.09 


4-54 


5.00 


5.45 


li 


2.58 


3.22 


3.87 


4-51 


5.16 


5.80 


6.45 


7.10 


7-74 


li 


3.54 


4-43 


5-31 


6.20 


7 09 


7-97 


8.86 


9-74 


10.39 


I| 


4.72 


5-90 


7.09 


8.27 


9-45 


10.63 


II. 81 


13.00 


14.18 


li 


6.12 


7.66 


9.19 


10.72 


12.26 


13-79 


15.32 


16.85 


18.39 


If 


7.80 


9-45 


11.70 


13-65 


15.60 


17-55 


19.50 


21.44 


23.40 


If 


9-74 


12.17 


14.61 


17.18 


19.48 


21.91 


24-35 


26.78 


29.22 


I| 


12.53 


15-62 


18.75 


21.87 


25.00 


28.12 


31-25 


34.37 


37-50 


2 


14.50 


18.12 


21.75 


25.37 


29.00 


32.62 


36.25 


39.87 


43.50 


2i 


17.40 


21.75 


26.10 


30.45 


34-80 


39-15 


43.50 


47.85 


52.20 


2i 


20.70 


25.87 


31.05 


36.22 


41.40 


46.53 


51.75 


56.92 


62.10 


2| 


24.30 


30.37 


36.45 


42.52 


48.60 


54.67 


60.75 


66.82 


72.90 


2i 


28.40 


35-50 


42.60 


49.70 


56.80 


63.90 


71.00 


78.10 


85.20 


2f 


32.80 


41.00 


49.20 


57.40 


65.60 


73.80 


82.00 


90.20 


98.40 


2f 


27.80 


47-25 


56.70 


66.15 


75-60 


85.05 


94.50 


103.95 


113.40 


2l 


43 -20 


54- 00 


64.80 


75-60 


86.40 


97.20 


108.00 


116.80 


129.60 


3 


49.00 


61.25 


73-50 


85-75 


98.00 


110.25 


122.50 


134.75 


147.00 


3i 


62.40 


77.90 


93.60 


109.20 


124.80 


140.40 


156.00 


171.60 


182.20 


3i 


77.90 


97.37 


116.85 


135-32 


155-80 


175.27 


194-75 


214.22 


233.70 


3f 


95.80 


119-75 


143.70 


167.65 


191.60 


215.55 


239-50 


263.45 


284.40 


4 


116.30 


145-37 


174-45 


203.52 


232.60 


216.67 


290.75 


319.82 


348.90 


4i 


139-50 


174-37 


209.25 


244.12 


279.00 


313-87 


348.75 


388.62 


418.50 


4i 


165.60 


207.00 


248.56 


289.80 


331.20 


372.60 


414.00 


455.40 


496 . 80 


4f 


194.80 


243-50 


291.20 


340.80 


389.60 


438.30 


487.00 


535-70 


584.40 


5 


227.20 


284.00 


340.80 


397.60 


454.40 


511.20 


568.00 


640 . 80 


681.60 


5i 


302.00 


377.50 


453- 00 


528.50 


604 . 00 


679.50 


755-00 


830.5o'9o6.oo 


6 


392.00 


490.00 


588.0 


686.0 


784.0 


892.0 


980.0 


1078.0 1176.0 



198 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL, 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE SELECTION OF BELTING— THE IMPORTANCE OF 
THE AIILL BEING PROPERLY BELTED— LEATHER 
BELTING BEST ADAPTED FOR 7 HIS PURPOSE- 
RULES FOR CALCULATING THEIR POWER— HINTS 
FOR THEIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT— OILS NOT 
- SUITABLE — DOUBLE BELTS; TABLE SHOWING 
THEIR POWER. 

Much of the comfort and economy in the manage- 
ment of planing-mill machinery arises from having a 
mill properly belted. With the high speed at which 
they are required to run, and the liability of becoming 
saturated more or less with oil and often subjected to 
chafing more or less, leather has been found the only 
practical material that should be used for this purpose. 
Oak-tanned leather belts, cut as near the back of the 
hide as possible, should be selected ; they should have 
short laps and be strong, and of even thickness and 
well put together. 

While almost everything pertaining to machinery 
has fixed rules whereby the strength and power may 
be calculated, it is a fact that there are no reliable 
rules whereby the power of a leather belt may be cal- 
culated with any degree of certainty. We would not 
wish to be understood as saying that there are no 
rules : on the contrary, there are plenty of them. 
Every belt-manufacturer who publishes a catalogue of 
his work has a set of rules of his own ; but the trou- 



IMPORTANCE OF PROPER BELTING. 1 99 

ble is, no two agree upon the same thing : according 
to one, a belt six inches wide, with a given speed and 
stress, should transmit eight horse-power; while another 
would give to the same belt, under the same condition, 
ten. We have endeavored to harmonize these rules, 
and, if possible, discover some true bases to work 
upon, but confess we have failed to do so. Being con- 
vinced that the power of a belt is simply a question of 
friction between the under side of the belt and the face 
of the pulley, produced by the tension or stress upon 
it, it would seem that all that was required was to de- 
vise some plan whereby, with a certain stress and 
under certain conditions, that friction could be meas- 
ured and then reduced to some fixed rules that would 
be at least approximately correct. 

For the purpose of making these tests, two iron pul- 
leys twenty inches in diameter and of 4-inch face were 
selected. These, after being bored and turned both to 
the same size, were balanced and fitted upon a shaft 
and secured by keys. This shaft was then suspended 
upon centres prepared for the purpose, so as to be free 
to turn with the least amount of friction. One end of 
a strap was fastened to the face of one pulley, and 
passed around it, while to the other end a bucket was 
attached and suspended to receive whatever weight 
might be required. A piece of leather belt of the 
average thickness, one inch wide, was secured to the 
floor by one end, while the other was passed over the 
pulley in the opposite direction, so as to embrace just 
one half of the circumference, and a similar bucket at- 
tached to it. One hundred pounds, including the 
weight of the bucket, was then applied. Weights were 



200 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

then placed in the first-mentioned bucket until the fric- 
tion of the belt was overcome and the pulley began to 
slip under it. This was so regulated by small weights 
that after repeated trials the descent of the bucket 
would average one foot per minute. This was quite a 
delicate matter, and only accomplished after repeated 
trials. The first bucket, containing the weights, was 
then detached and weighed, with its contents, and 
found to equal 40 pounds. A piece of 2-inch belting 
was then substituted for the i-inch, and, with the 
same weights, gave the same results. The weight in 
the first bucket was then increased to 200 pounds and 
the friction arising from the second overcome, as be- 
fore, by adding weights; 80 pounds were then re- 
quired to produce the same result. Tests were then 
made in the same manner with 3 and 4-inch belts, 
and all gave the same results, viz. : that the fric- 
tional power of a leather belt embracing one half of 
the circumference of a cast-iron pulley is equal to y^o^ 
of its stress, regardless of its width. Tests were also 
made with new belts which had been used but a few 
days, as well as those which were old and filled with 
grease. The new ones, when first applied, gave a trifle 
less than 40 per cent ; those which had been used a 
few days gave a small fraction over, while the old ones 
showed considerable over that amount, but broke so 
frequently that their real frictional value could not be 
obtained with any degree of certainty. 

Those tests established this fact : that if the fric- 
tional power of a leather belt moving at the rate of i 
foot per minute is 40 per cent of the stress, with a 
stress of 100 pounds, moving at the rate of i foot per 



HOJV TO CALCULATE POWER OF BELTING. 201 

minute, 40 pounds of efficient force is all that can be 
realized from it. But if the stress be increased to 400 
pounds and still moving at the same rate, 160 pounds 
of useful effect will be returned. 

Again, if the stress remains the same and the speed 
be increased to 2 feet per minute, then the power re- 
turned in frictional force per minute will be doubled. 
Hence, with equal stress, the frictional power per 
minute increases directly as the speed, and with equal 
speed it increases directly as the stress. From these 
two propositions we are able to adduce the following 
rule : 

When the stress is known, to find the power multiply 
the speed of the belt in feet per minute by .40 of the 
stress in pounds, and divide by 33,000. 

Example : Assume the stress upon a leather belt to 
be 600 pounds and the speed 2,000 feet per minute. 
First, 40 per cent of 600 is 240 \ then 240 X 2,000 = 
480,000 and 480,000 -j- 33,000 = 14.28 horse-power. 

Now, this power may be obtained from a belt 8 
inches wide, or from one 12, provided the stress is the 
same, and the belt strong enough to withstand it ; for 
the resistance of belts to slipping, with equal stress, is 
independent of their width, and there is no advantage, 
in a frictional point of view, derived from increasing 
the width beyond that which is required to resist the 
tension without material injury. It must not be as- 
surfied, however, that, because a belt i inch wide may 
sustain a weight of 350 pounds, it would be good prac- 
tice to run a belt of that width at any such tension, for 
the reason that the fibres of the leather would soon 



202 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

become detached from each other by the continued 
strain, and thereby become worthless. 

Durability must always be taken into consideration, 
as well as quantity of work to be performed in a given 
time. A small horse may be compelled for a short 
time to draw a heavy load : but by constantly over- 
taxing his abilities, his enegies soon become exhausted 
and render him worthless ; while a much heavier and 
stronger animal would perform the same work from 
day to day without material injury. 

So with a belt : the wider it is with the same stress 
the less the strain upon each inch in width. If 1200 
pounds stress were put upon a six-inch belt, each inch 
would be required to sustain 200 pounds ; whereas, if 
the whole stress was 600 pounds, then there would only 
be loopounds to be sustained by each inch in width ; 
and it needs no argument to show that with a stress of 
60 pounds or 100 pounds to the inch, that the belt 
would last much longer than it would with double that 
strain. Therefore within reasonable bounds the wider 
the belt the longer it will last. 

There is one difificulty that presents itself in calculat- 
ing the power of a belt, and that is to determine just 
what the tension is, or what it should be. Some claim 
that the average tension should be 200 pounds to the 
inch in width, but it is very doubtful whether driving, 
belts as a rule are ever submitted to any such tension, 
or more than half of it. If so, a belt 12 inches wide 
should be constantly submitted to a strain equal to 
2,400 pounds, or nearly \\ tons weight : it is a ques- 
tion of considerable doubt whether it would stand a 
weight of that amount suspended from one end of it 



now TO CALCULATE POWER OF BELTING. 203 

for any length of time without permanent injury to the 
fibres of the leather. 

From extensive observation I am led to believe that 
the average stress upon driving belts as a rule does 
not exceed lOO pounds to the inch in width. It is true 
that when running a large portion of the stress is upon 
the driving side ; but even then, except under peculiar 
conditions, I doubt whether a strain of 200 pounds to 
the inch in width is ever attained. 

The stress of a belt may be approximately obtained, 
however, by calculating the stress required to give a 
frictional force equal to a given power, and by assum- 
ing a certain width ; then if the belt, when put to use, 
performs the work in a satisfactory manner without 
slipping, it is reasonable to suppose that the tension is 
not less than a given number of pounds. 

Practical experience has proved that if a belt will 
perform the required work when running slack, it will 
last much longer than one of less width with double 
the tension. Extremes in this as well as in every 
other case' should be avoided. If a belt is run so slack 
that it is constantly flapping about, the sudden jerks 
are not only detrimental to the belt itself but to the 
machinery and shafting attached — especially so with 
planing-mill machinery. 

In selecting a driving-belt, and determining its 
width, there are always certain conditions to be con- 
sidered and complied with: First, the amount of power 
to be transmitted ; second, the speed of the line shaft 
and size of the pulley required. This, when the power 
is steam, must be determined by the speed of the 
engine and size of the band-wheel. When these 



204 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

points are settled, the width of the belt may be 
determined according to the diameter of the pulley : a 
small pulley at the same speed requires a wider belt in 
order to obtain the necessary frictional surface. 

In ordinary practice it is well to run the line-shaft 
about 300 revolutions per minute in order to avoid 
loading it down with large heavy pulleys, and also to 
enable those machines which have counter-shafts at- 
tached to be driven direct from the line, thereby avoid- 
ing the use of intermediate shafts as far as possible. 
At 300 revolutions per minute, with good bearings and 
well balanced pulleys, there is no objection to that 
speed, or even more, if necessary. 

Suppose after all these points are settled the result 
should be as follows : An engine of 60 horse-power is 
required, the band-wheel of which is 8 feet in diameter, 
and is required to make 150 revolutions per minute. 
To accommodate the greater number of machines, the 
line-shaft is required to run 300. From this data the 
diameter of the driven pulley for the line-shaft and 
width of the belt must be calculated. As the size 
of the main pulley must be in proportion to the 
band-wheel, as its speed we have this proportion : 
300 : 150 :: 8:4; consequently the diameter of the 
main pulley must be 4 feet. 

Now as the circumference is equal to the diameter 
multiplied by 3.1416, in order to find the speed of the 
belt in feet per minute the diameter must be multipHed 
by this number, and the speed or number of revolu- 
tions per minute ; for it is evident that the belt must 
pass over the whole circumference of the pulley 300 
times per minute in order to make 300 revolutions in 



SELECTION OF BELTING. 20$ 

that time; then 4 X 3.1416 X 300 = 3769.92 feet per 
minute. 

Now the tension of the belt to produce a frictional 
force upon the face of the pulley sufficient to equal 60 
horse-power must be computed. As the unit for i 
horse-power is a force equal to 33,0CXD pounds, moved at 
the rate of i foot per minute, 60 horse-power must be 
multiplied by that number; then 33,000 x 60 = 1,980,- 
000 pounds of frictional force, which must be applied 
once in every minute. 

The stress upon the belt, as we have already found, 
is proportional to the frictional power as 100 is to 40 ; 
so that in order to find that stress we say 40 : 100 :: 
1,950,000: 4,950,000 pounds : then 4,950,000 -~ 376.992 
(the speed of the belt in feet per minute) ==1313 
pounds, which must be constantly applied; or, in other 
words, 13 1 3 pounds is the whole stress that is constantly 
applied to the belt, and without any allowance for ex- 
tra shocks in starting, etc., a belt 13I- inches wide 
would give that power by the foregoing rules already 
given. But to allow for this and other contingencies 
which are liable to arise, one of 16 inches would be 
preferable. 

In selecting belts, those of even thickness, with mod- 
erately short laps, and well riveted, should be chosen. 
A good way to test the quality of the leather is to bend 
it short towards the flesh side. If the material is poor 
or been injured in the process of tanning, it will show 
fine cracks when submitted to this test. If the material 
is good, it should be soft and pliable and bend short 
without showing any signs of cracks in the grain. 

Some manufacturers recommend running the grain 



2o6 HISTORY OF THE PLANlNG-MILL. 

side next to the pulley, thereby claiming a much greater 
percentage of power with the same stress. 

While there is no doubt that this is the proper way 
to run a belt, the tests made do not warrant any such 
results. 

The reason for running the grain side next to the 
pulley is, there is more strength in the flesh side than 
there is in the grain; and that part of the belt which 
possesses the greatest tensile strength should be sub- 
jected to the least wear. This may be demonstrated 
by splitting a piece of belt leather exactly in the centre 
and submitting each part to a breaking strain, when it 
will be found that the part next to the flesh side will 
require nearly double the strain to part it as the other. 
So that a belt run with the grain side next to the pulley, 
when worn down to nearly one half of its original 
thickness will retain more than three quarters of its 
original strength, unless otherwise injured ; while the 
same belt run with the flesh side to the pulley will give 
out and break long before it reaches that condition. 

Another reason is that the best of belts, and those 
that are soft and pliable when new, after being used 
and exposed to the fine dust that is constantly settling 
upon them, soon absorb the oil, rendering them hard 
and dry ; then if run over small pulleys with the grain 
side out, they become filled with fine cracks, which ma- 
terially impair their strength. 

When belts become hard and dry,' they are not only 
more liable to crack, but as they do not adhere to the 
pulleys, and are constantly slipping more or less, the 
heat generated by the friction burns them so as to im- 
pair their strength, and in a short time renders them 



\ 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BELTING. 20/ 

worthless. When such is the case, it is the common 
practice in many mills to pour on any kind of oil, rub 
on soap and rosin, or, in fact, anything convenient to 
prevent them from slipping. This is all wrong. If the 
belt is too slack, stop and take it up ; for it is much 
cheaper to stop for half an hour than to spoil a belt 
worth forty or fifty dollars. 

Lubricating-oils such as are in general use contain 
more or less mixtures of hydro-carbon, which is detri- 
mental to leather. Lard-oil is also injurious, from the 
fact that it contains a large percentage of margaric 
acid. There are also many patented articles under 
various names of stuffing, for softening and preserving 
belts, which are advertised and hawked about ; and if 
mill-owners would believe one-half the stories which 
are told by drummers for those articles, they would 
believe that a belt would never get old, wear out or 
break as long as they continued the use of their prep- 
aration. 

Now, the basis of nearly all of these compounds — all, 
so far as they have been examined is — either petroleum 
in some of its numerous forms, or some other hydro- 
carbon mixed with neatsfoot oil or something worse, 
and totally unfit for this purpose. Tallow seems to be 
the only material that is natural to leather, but should 
never be applied to a belt when dry and covered with 
dust, for this reason : The solid fats of all animals are 
composed of three elements, viz ; stearine, margarine, 
and oleine. 

Margarine contains a large percentage of margaric 
acid, which must be kept out of the belt as far as pos- 
sible, The proper manner to tr^at a belt when it be- 



208 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

comes hard and dry, and to exclude the greater por- 
tion of the margarine, is to take it off and lay it upon a 
clean floor ; then, with soap and warm water, thoroughly 
cleanse it, and, if necessary, scrape it until the surface 
on both sides is perfectly clean ; then prepare some 
clean tallow by melting it, and, with a brush, apply a 
thick coat upon the flesh side while it is just soft 
enough to spread well and while the belt is wet, and 
then leave it until it becomes perfectly dry. The 
stearine and margarine are both insoluble in water, 
and will not enter the pores of the leather while it is 
wet. 

Margarine has a greater affinity for stearine than it 
has for oleine ; consequently, it remains on the outside 
and becomes hard before the leather becomes dry 
enough to absorb it ; while the olein, which has a 
greater affinity for the leather, seperates from the other 
ingredients, and, as the water evaporates gradually, as- 
sumes its place, leaving the other two on the outside 
in the form of a white substance much harder than tal- 
low, which may be readily scraped off. Belts treated 
in this manner about once in six months will be as soft 
and pHable as new, and retain their strength until worn 
out. 

Many object to this process of taking off their belts 
and wetting them, because they shrink up so that it 
requires an unreasonable tension to replace them. 
This may be avoided by fastening the belt to the 
floor by means of clamps before washing it. 

To formulate rules for determining the length of a 
belt may to some appear quite superfluous. This may 
be the case in many instances — perhaps so in the nia- 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BELTING. 209 

jority which come within the range of ordinary prac- 
tice. 

When everything in the mill is favorable, — the coun- 
ter-shafts, if any, all up, and the pulleys on the line- 
shaft, together with all the machines that are to be 
driven from it in their respective places, then with a 
good tape-line, the length of each belt, whether crossed 
or straight, may be easily obtained by measurement. 

This condition of things, however, does not always 
exist. It is sometimes necessary to determine the 
length of some of the belts, especially the large drivers, 
before the shafts and pulleys are in position. The 
distance between centres, and the size of the pulleys 
may be obtained from the drawings. Much time may 
be saved in this way, especially if the belts are made to 
order and shipped from a distance. 

Crossed belts should be avoided as far as possible, 
especially if there is considerable difference in the 
diameters of the pulleys and the distance between 
centres limited to a short space. In such cases the 
cross will' occur so near the small pulley that the ten- 
dency to run off will require the constant use of a belt- 
shifter or some other device to keep it on the pulley, 
The chafing upon this, with the friction upon the belt 
where they cross each other nearly edgewise, under 
such conditions will soon destroy it. 

When pulleys are nearly of the same size and the 
distance between centres considerable, the cross will 
occur nearer the centre of the space between them, 
and the two surfaces cross each other nearly flatwise 
and with but little friction. Under such conditions, 
a cross-belt is not so objectionable. 



2IO HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

The rule for calculating the length of an open belt 
when the distance between centres and the size of the 
pulleys are known, is very simple : 

To twice the distance between the centres, add one 
half the circumference of each pulley, with three times 
the thickness of the belt. 

Example : Suppose the distance between the centres 
of two shafts is 14 feet, the diameter of one pulley is 
8 feet and the other 4, and. the thickness of the belt 
is \ inch. Then one half the circumference of the 
8-foot pulley is 12.5664 feet. One half the circumference 
of the 4-foot pulley is 6.2834 feet. Three times the 
thickness of the belt is f inch, or .0625 feet ; then 28 -|- 
[2.5664 4" 6.2834 + .0625 = 46 feet \o\\ inches. 

To find the length of a cross-belt, the rule is more 
complex, and when the pulleys are in position and can 
be conveniently reached, it is much easier to determine 
their length by the tape line. If not, the following 
rules are applicable and will give correct results. 

First, the distance from the centre of each pulle}^ to 
the centre of the point where they will cross, must be 
obtained. If both pulleys should happen to be the 
same diameter, the cross will occur exactly in the 
centre of the space between them. If not, then that 
point will be in proportion to their respective diam- 
eters, and may be found by the following rule : 

Divide the diameter of the larger pulley by that of 
the smaller, and add one to the quotient. This will 
represent the number of parts into which the distance 
between centres is supposed to be divided into. Then 
as the whole number of parts is to the number of parts 
taken by the larger pulley, so is the whole distance 



RULES FOR MEASUREMENT OF BELTING. 211 

between the centres to the point where the cross will 
occur. 

Example : A pulley 8 feet in diameter is to drive 
one of 4 with a cross-belt i inch thick, the distance 
between centres being 14 feet ; required, the distance 
to the point where they will cross, and the whole leno-th 
of the belt. 

First, find the point where they will cross, by the fore- 
going rule : 8-^-4 = 2+1 = 3. This represents that 
the 14 feet are supposed to be divided into three parts ; 
and as the diameter of the small pulley is contained in 
that of the larger one twice, it shows that two parts of 
the three must be taken by it : then, 3 : 2 :: 14 : 9^4'' 
Now as the whole distance is 14 feet, and the large pul- 
ley requires 9 feet 4 inches, the distance from this 
point to the centre of the smaller pulley will be 4 feet 
and 8 inches. So that the distance from the centre of 
the large pulley to the point where the belt will cross is 
9 feet 4 inches, while the other from the same point 
will be 4 feet 8 inches. 

If a horizontal Hne be drawn through the centre of 
each pulley, extending from one to the other, and a 
perpendicular one also drawn through the same points, 
intersecting it at right angles, there will be two right, 
angled triangles formed— the base of one being 9 feet 4 
inches, with a perpendicular equal to the radius of the 
8-foot pulley, or 4 feet, while the other base will be 
equal to 4 feet 8 inches with a perpendicular equal to 
the radius of the 4-foot pulley, or 2 feet, the belt in 
each case representing the hypothenuse ; and as the 
square root of the sum of the squares of the base and 
perpendicular of any right-angled triangle equals 



212 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the hypothenuse, it is evident that the hypothenuse 
of these two figures must represent the length of 
belt between these two points. 

The operation perhaps will be more simple and 
easier understood if the whole be reduced to inches. 
Then 112 x 112 == 12544 inches ; and 48 X 48 = 2304 
inches being the square of the base and perpendicular 
in inches, then 12544 -|- 2304 = 14848, the square root 
of which is 121.85 inches. With the other proceed in 
the same manner : 56 x 56 = 3136 and 24 x 24 = 576, 
and 3 1 36 -|- 576 = 3712, the square root of which is 
60.92 inches. 

Now if each of these sums be doubled, and one half 
the circumference of each pulley with three times the 
thickness of the belt be added together, their sum will 
be equal to the whole length of belt required in inches, 
which, when reduced to feet, will be found to equal 
48 feet and ij- inches. 

Much has been said in favor of double belts, convey- 
ing the idea that they are not only stronger, but will 
transmit more power with the same stress. That 
there is more tensile strength in a double belt if made 
of equally good stock than in a single one, there is no 
doubt. But as far as frictional power under the 
same stress is concerned, the tests which have been 
made with both do not show any difference worth 
speaking of. In certain cases a douHe belt may trans- 
mit more power than a single one, but it is owing to 
the greater stress put upon it, either directly or by the 
extra weight — especially if running horizontally, or 
nearly so, with the slack side running towards the top 



DOUBLE BELTS. 213 

of the driven pulley. The sag causes it to embrace a 
greater arc and cover more surface of the pulley. 

. There are objections to double belts which more 
than counterbalance their advantages. One is, that the 
stock generally used is apt to be thin and soft, and of 
an inferior quality. But the greatest objection is that 
even if they are made of good, solid stock, the uneven 
strain upon the two thicknesses which compose it has 
a tendency to tear them asunder. When two pieces 
of leather of even thickness and length are cemented 
and united by rivets, if strained around the surface of a 
pulley they cannot remain so : the outside piece must 
stretch' or the inside one contract. In either case the 
tendency is to separate. 

To illustrate this : Suppose a pulley 4 feet in diameter, 
the circumference of which would be 150.734 inches. 
Now if this pulley were entirely surrounded by a single 
piece of leather -f^ inch thick, it would require 151.734 
inches in length to surround it ; and the diameter of 
the pulley, including the leather, would be increased by 
twice the thickness of it, and the circumference would 
be increased to 152.76 inches. Now surround this 
again by another piece of the same thickness, and it 
will require 153.69 inches; so that the difference in 
length of the two pieces of leather would be equal to 
1.96 inches. But as the belt is supposed to embrace 
only one half of the circumference of the pulley, the real 
difference would be about one half, or one inch ; but if 
the same belt passed over another pulley, — ^.hich is al- 
ways the case, — then the difference would r mount to 2 
inches, provided the pulleys were both the same size. 
Now it is evident that if these two pieces were cut 



214 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

the same length and riveted together, when strained 
around the half-circumference of each pulley one piece 
must contract or the other stretch sufficient to make 
this difference in the length. If the belt remained at 
rest after being bent around the pulley, it would be dif- 
ferent. But this is not the case. As soon as it leaves the 
pulley and becomes straightened out again both parts 
must resume their former relation to each other, and 
become of the same length. This constant unequal 
strain must have a tendency to break the cement and 
tear out the rivets in a short time, which is usually the 
case. 

If it is absolutely necessary to use a double belt, it 
is better toiise two single ones, one running outside of 
the other, with independent lacings, and having no con- 
nection with each other. When run in this manner, it 
will be noticed that the position of the outside belt 
with reference to the other will be changed at every 
revolution, and in a short time it will make a complete 
revolution around it. Belts run in this manner will 
work better, last longer, and give as much power, 
with no more trouble, as a double belt made in the 
ordinary manner. 

The following table shows the horse-powers belts 
are capable of giving at a stress of lOO pounds to the 
inch, in width from i to 24 inches inclusive, and 
at speeds from 100 to 3000 feet per minute. The 
ratio of f'-iction is taken at 40 per cent of the stress. 
This tabic is calculated from tests made by the au- 
thor, and intended expressly for this work ; 



VARIOUS HORSE-POWERS OF BELTS. 



215 



TABLE II. 



Feet 


Width in inches. 


per 


























min. 


I in. 


2 in. 


3 in. 


4 in. 


5 in. 


6 in. 


7 in. 


8 in. 


g in. 


10 in. 


II in. 


12 in. 




H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


100 


.121 

1 


.242 


.263 


.484 


.606 


.727 


.848 


-969 


1.09 


1. 21 


1-33 


1-45 


200 


.242; 


.484 


.727 


.968 


1. 21 


1-45 


1.69 


1-93 


2.18 


2.42 


2.66 


2.90 


300 


■363 


.926 


i.oS 


1-45 


1. 81 


2.18 


2-54 


2.90 


3-27 


3-63 


3-99 


4 35 


400 


.484 


.768 


1-45 


1-93 


2.42 


2.90 


3-39 


387 


4-36 


4.84 


5-32 


5.80 


500 


.605 


1. 21 


1. 81 


2.42 


3-03 


363 


4.24 


4.84 


5-45 


6.05 


6.65 


7-25 


600 


.726 


1.40 


2.17 


2.90 


3-63 


4-36 


5-o8 


5.81 


6.54 


7.26 


7-98 


8.70 


700 


.847 


1.69 


2-54 


3 38 


4.24 


5.08 


5-93 


6.78 


763 


8-47 


9-31 


10.15 


800 


.968 


1-93 


2.90 


3.87 


4.84 


5.81 


6.78 


7-75 


8.72 


9.68 


10.64 


11.60 


900 


1.08 


2.17 


3.26 


4-35 


5-45 


6.54 


7-63 


8.72 


9.81 


10.89 


11.97 


13-05 


1000 


1. 21 


2 42 


3-63 


4.84 


6.06 


7.27 


8.48 


9.69 


10.90 


12.10 


13-30 


14.50 


1100 


1-33 


2.66 


3-99 


5-32 


6.66 


7-99 


9-32 


10.65 


11.99 


13-31 


14.63 


15-95 


1200 


1-45 


2.90 


4-35 


5.80 


7.27 


8.72 


10.17 


11.62 


13.08 


14.52 


15.96 


17.40 


1300 


1-57 


3-14 


4.71 


6.28 


7.87 


9.44 


1 1. 01 


12.59 


14.17 


15-73 


17.29 


18.85 


.1400 


1.69 


3-38 


5.08 


6.76 


8.48 


10.16 


11.86 


13-56 


15.26 


16.94 


18.62 


20.30 


1500 


1. 81 


3-69 


5-44 


7-25 


9.08 


10.89 


12.71 


14-53 


16.35 


18.15 


19-95 


21-75 


1600 


1-93 


3.86 


5.80 


7.62 


9.68 


11.62 


13-56 


15-50 


17-44 


19.36 


21.28 


23.20 


1700 


2.04 


4.10 


6.16 


8.22 


10.39 


12.35 


14.41 


16.47 


18.53 


20.57 


22.61 


24.65 


1800 


2.16 


4-34 


6.52 


8.70 


10.90 


13.08 


15.26 


17.44 


19.62 


21.78 


23-94 


26.10 


1900 


2.29 


4-59 


6.89 


9.19 


II. 51 


13.81 


16.11 


18.41 


20.71 


22.99 


25.27 


27-55 


2000 


2.42 


4.84 


7.26 


9.68 


12.12 


14-54 


16.96 


19.38 


21.80 


24.20 


26.60 


29.00 


2100 


2-54 


5-o8 


7.62 


10.16 


12.72 


15.26 


17.80 


20.34 


22. 8g 


25.41 


27-93 


30-45 


2200 


2.66 


S-32 


7.98 


10.64 


13-32 


15.98 


18.64 


21.30 


23.98 


26.62 


29.26 


31.90 


2300 


2.78 


5.56 


8.35 


II. 12 


13.89 


16.71 


19.48 


22.24 


24-77 


27.83 


30.59 


33-35 


2400 


2.90 


5.80 


8.70 


II 60 


14-54 


17.44 


20.34 


23.24 


26.16 


29.04 


31.92 


34.80 


2500 


3.02 


6.04 


9.06 


12.08 


15-14 


18.16 


21.18 


24.21 


27-15 


30.25 


33 25 


36.25 


2600 


3-14 


6.28 


9-4'2 


12.56 


15-74 


18.88 


22.02 


25.18 


28.34 


31.46 


34-58 


37.70 


2700 


3-26 


6.52 


9-79 


13.04 


16.35 


19.60 


22.87 


26.15 


29-33 


32.67 


35-91 


39-15 


2800 


3-38 


6.76 


10. 16 


13-52 


16.96 


20.23 


23-72 


27.12 


30-52 


33-88 


37-24 


40.60 


2900 


350 


7.07 


10.52 


14.01 


17-56 


21.05 


24-57 


28.09 


31.61 


35-09 


38-57 


42.05 


3000 


3.62 


7-38 


10.88 


14.50 


18.16 


21.78 


25-42 


29.06 


32.70 


36.30 


39-90 


43-50 



2l6 



HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 



TABLE II.— Concluded. 



Feet 


! Width in inches. 


per 


























min. 


13 in. 


14 in. 


15 in. 


16 in. 


17 in. 


18 in. 


ig in. 


20 in. 


21 in. 


22 in. 


23 in. 


24 in. 




H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


H. P. 


100 


1-57 


1.69 


1. 81 


1.94 


2.06 


2.18 


2.30 


2.42 


2-53 


2.66 


2.78 


2.90 


200 


3-14 


3-38 


3.62 


3-87 


4.12 


4-36 


4.60 


4.84 


5.06 


5.32 


5-56 


5.80 


800 


4.71 


5-07 


5-43 


5.82 


6.08 


6.54 


6.90 


7.26 


7-59 


7.98 


8.34 


8.70 


400 


6.28 


6.76 


7.24 


7.76 


8.24 


8.72 


9.20 


9.68 


10.12 


10.64 


11.12 


11. bo 


500 


7-85 


8.45 


9-05 


9.70 


10.30 


10.90 


11.50 


12.10 


12.65 


13-30 


13.90 


14-50 


600 


9.42 


10.14 


10.86 


11.64 


12.36 


13.08 


13.80 


14.52 


15.18 


15.96 


16.68 


17.40 


700 


10.99 


11.83 


12.67 


13-58 


14.42 


15.26 


16.10 


16.94 


17.71 


18.62 


19.46 


20.30 


800 


12.56 


13-52 


14.48 


15 52 


16.48 


17.44 


18.40 


19.36 


20.24 


21.28 


22.24 


23.20 


900 


14-13 


15.21 


16.29 


17.46 


18.54 


19.62 


20.70 


21.78 


22.77 


23-94 


25.02 


26.10 


1000 


15.70 


16.90 


18.10 


19.40 


20.60 


21.80 


23.00 


24.20 


25-30 


26.60 


27.84 


29.00 


1100 


17.27 


18.59 


19.91 


21.34 


22.66 


23.98 


25-30 


26.62 


27.83 


29.26 


30.58 


31.90 


1200 


18.84 


20.28 


21.72 


23.28 


24.72 


26.16 


27.60 


29.04 


30-36 


31.92 


33-36 


34-80 


1300 


20.41 


21.97 


23 -53 


25.22 


26.78 


28.34 


29 90 


31.46 


32.89 


34-58 


36.14 


37-70 


1400 


21.98 


23.66 


25-34 


27.16 


28.84 


30.52 


32.20 


38.88 


35.42 


37-24 


38.92 


40.60 


1500 


23-55 


25-35 


27-15 


29.10 


30.90 


32.70 


34-50 


36-30 


37.95 


39-90 


42.70 


43-50 


1600 


25.12 


27.04 


28.96 


31.04 


32.96 


34-88 


36.80 


38.72 


40.48 


42.50 


44-48 


46.40 


1700 


26.69 


28.73 


30.77 


32.98 


35-02 


37.06 


39.10 


41.14 


43 01 


45.52 


47.26 


49-30 


1800 


28.26 


30.42 


32.58 


34-92 


37.08 


39-24 


41.40 


43-56 


45-54 


47.88 


50.04 


52.20 


1900 


29.83 


32.11 


34-39 


36.86 


39-14 


41.42 


43-70 


45.98 


48.07 


50.56 


52.86 


55-10 


2000 


31-40 


33-80 


36.20 


38.80 


41.20 


43.60 


46.00 


48.40 


50.60 


53.20 


55.68 


58.00 


2100 


32-97 


35-49 


38.01 


40.74 


43.26 


45-78 


48.30 


50-82 


53-13 


55-86 


58.42 


60 90 


2200 


34-54 


37-18 


39 82 


42.68 


45-32 


47.96 


50.60 


53.24 


55.66 


58-52 


61.16 


63.80 


2300 


36.11 


38.87 


41.63 


43.62 


47-38 


50.14 


52.90 


55-66 


58.19 


61.18 


63.94 


66.70 


2400 


37.68 


40.56 


43-44 


46.56 


49.44 


52.32 


55-20 


58.08 


60.72 


68.84 


66.72 


69.60 


2500 


39-25 


42.25 


45-25 


48.50 


51-50 


54 50 


57-50 


60.50 


63.25 


66.50 


69.50 


72.50 


2600 


40.82 


43-94 


47.06 


50.44 


53-56 


56.68 


59-80 


62.92 


65.78 


69.16 


72.28 


75-40 


2700 


42-39 


45-63 


48.87 


52.38 


55-62 


58.86 


62.10 


65-34 


68.81 


71.82 


75.06 


78.30 


2800 


43-96 


47-32 


50.68 


54-32 


57.68 


61.04 


64.40 


67.76 


70.84 


74.48 


77.84 


81.20 


2900 


45-53 


48.01 


52.49 


56.62 


59-74 


63-32 


66.70 


70.18 


73 37 


77-14 


81.62 


84.10 


8000 


47.10 


50.70 


54-30 


58.20 


61.80 


65.40 


69.00 


72.60 


75.90 


79.80 


85.40 


87.00 



ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN. 217 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN — THEY SHOUID MAKE 
THEMSELVES PROFICIENTS IN THEIR BUSINESS 
—FREQUENT CHANGES NOT ADVISABLE— PROPER 
STUDIES FOR THE YOUNG MECHANIC IN ORDER 
TO FIT HIM FOR FUTURE USEFULNESS, ETC. 

In conclusion, a few words of advice to young men 
may not be amiss. 

The question is often asked why it is that planing- 
mill operators as a class are not as competent men as 
may be found in other mechanical businesses. There 
is scarcely an accident or a breakdown but may be 
traced directly or indirectly to carelessness or neglect 
on the part of the operator. To a close observer this 
question can be satisfactorily answered. In the first 
place, comparatively few young men adopt this as a 
regular business or permanent occupation, and do not 
serve the necessary apprenticeship to qualify them for 
the duties and responsibilities devolving upon them. 
In the second place, men who have served an appren- 
ticeship and thoroughly fitted themselves for the duties 
and responsibilities of the position cannot afford to 
give their time and energies to a business that in the 
past has offered so little inducements in the small 
salaries that most planing-mill proprietors are willing 
to offer ; consequently many abandon this business for 
something that may offer them better inducements. 
In fact, it would seem as if a large majority of plan- 



2l8 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

ing-mill operators adopt this business as a sort of 
makeshift until they can find something better. 

Such men are not expected to devote their mind 
and energies to a business that they expect to remain 
in only a few months. A young man, for instance, 
gets tired of farming, and makes up his mind to try 
something else. He goes to the nearest town and 
applies for a job in a planing-mill ; works around a few 
months ; watches the men who are running the 
machines : it all looks simple enough to him, and after 
awhile he makes up his mind that he can do that work 
just as well as anybody. He goes to the next town, 
and obtains a situation in some mill as a competent 
operator ; works until he has a breakdown, or the 
machine gets in such a condition that the customers 
complain of bad work and threaten to leave ; when, 
if not discharged he will pick up his traps and try 
something else. So he floats around between planing- 
mills, saw-mills, and logging-camps ; and if he should 
happen to continue around planing-mills long enough 
he may pick up sufficient knowledge in time to 
become a second or third class operator : but the 
chances are that one or two seasons will wind up his 
career, and he will either return to the farm, which he 
should never have left, or try some other business, with 
like results. 

There is a class of planing-mill operators, however, 
who have learned this business in the regular way, and 
have become experts in their chosen profession, many 
of whom I have the pleasure of being personally 
acquainted with. Such men are ornaments to their 
profession, and profitable to their employers at any 



THE YOUNG MECHANIC. 219 

salary; and there are planing-mill proprietors who 
appreciate such men, but I am sorry to say that they 
are not as numerous as they should be. 

To this class of operators I have no reference — their 
own work and the efficiency of their machines are a 
sufficient recommendation ; but 1 do contend that a 
man, to have the care and management of wood- 
working machinery, should be a proficient at the 
business. A young man starting out in life, who in- 
tends to make this his business and profession, should 
go into some first-class mill, and, under a competent 
foreman, serve a regular apprenticeship, and devote all 
the energies of his mind to the business unreservedly, 
until he has mastered all the principles and details of 
the different machines that may come under his charge 
in after years. 

It is by this means only that he can make a success 
of it and command the highest price for his labor and 
skill, and superintend with intelligence and authority 
the workmen under his charge. He should not only 
aspire to become a good operator, but should endeavor 
to become a master-mechanic in his chosen profession. 
He should devote his leisure time to the study of 
such mechanical works as relate to his business, instead 
of throwing it away, as many young men do, in reading 
the trashy literature of the day in the shape of dime 
novels, which impart no useful information, or in attend- 
ing variety shows — both of which are a total loss of 
time. He should remember that '* time once past 
never returns : a moment lost is lost forever." He 
should also study mathematics, philosophy, and the 
natural sciences ; thereby not only fitting himself to 



220 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

discharge his duties in a more intelligent manner, but 
also for any other useful occupation in after life in case 
of accident or disability. 

By making himself master of those principles of 
science — more particularly those which are most in- 
timately connected with his business, he may be laying 
unawares the foundation for future discoveries in 
mechanical improvements that may be a source of 
great benefit to the public and profit to himself. 

Benjamin Franklin, when learning the trade of a print- 
er and devoting all his leisure time to the study of 
philosophy and the natural sciences, probably never 
dreamed of the brilliant discoveries that he would make 
in after-life, or the fame that would attach itself to his 
name and descend as a living monument to generations 
yet unborn. 

Elihu Burritt, the learned blacksmith, who com- 
menced learning his trade when quite young and with 
a very limited cornmon school education, at the age of 
forty was master of fifty-two languages, and wrought 
at his anvil during all that time, only devoting his 
leisure time to study until the demands of the public 
called him to a more public, beneficial, and profitable 
occupation. 

I could name a large number of men among my per- 
sonal acquaintances who commenced their apprentice- 
ship poor, and with but little education, but who by 
devoting their leisure time to study, have ascended to 
the top of the ladder, and are now filling places of re- 
sponsibility and trust, and have secured, many of them, 
a large competency ; while others, from the same shops, 
who devoted their leisure time to novel-reading and 



THE YOUNG MECHANIC. 221 

attending places of amusement that were no benefit to 
them, are now, in their dedining years, still working 
as common hands, and for wages that no more than 
enables them to eke out a bare existence. Such ex- 
amples are to be found in every shop and in every line 
of mechanical business, and should be a living example 
to young men not to go and do likewise. 

When a young man decides to learn a trade or pro- 
fession, whether it be the care and management of 
wood-working machinery, the charge of a lumber-yard, 
or any of the mechanical trades, he should cultivate a 
spirit of contentment, and realize that when he is work- 
ing for the interest of his employer he is working for 
his own. I do not mean that he should content him- 
self to always renjain in just the same position he may 
fill at the time, but by study and perseverance fit him- 
self for advancement to the higher and more responsi- 
ble positions that the same line of business may afford. 
It is a well-known fact, that may be demonstrated by 
numerous living examples, that some of the largest and 
wealthiest lumber-dealers in the country began life as 
common laborers in the yard, and by energy, strict in- 
tegrity, and careful attention to business in time suc- 
ceeded in rendering themselves almost indispensable to 
their employers, and finally became partners, and lastly 
proprietors themselves. 

The young man who is satisfied with his business and 
adheres to it, and endeavors to make himself useful 
in whatever position he may occupy, presents a much 
more respectable figure in the eyes of the public than 
one who is constantly changing from one thing to an- 
other and undertaking hazardous enterprises^ which 



222 HISTORY OF THE PLANING-MILL. 

often end in debt and ruin. A man who has been en- 
gaged in a mercantile business all his life will not be apt 
to succeed well as a manufacturer ; neither would a 
blacksmith be apt to succeed as a merchant. 

There is an old saying that is applicable to every one 
who has been brought up to a regular trade or profes- 
sion, and that has more truth than poetry — " Keep to 
your shop, and your shop will keep you." 

I admire the old English style. If a man is a suc- 
cessful manufacturer or mechanic, no matter how 
wealthy he may become, his sons and grandsons are 
not too proud to be known as manufacturers and 
mechanics themselves, and write themselves with pride 
as the successors of the old firm. 

For honesty, integrity, and genuine respectability, 
commend me to the intelligent, hard-working mechanic. 



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